Amidst the hype over the Border Gavaskar Trophy between the men’s teams of India and Australia, the women’s cricket teams of both the countries will play a three-match ODI series at Allen Border Field from Thursday, while the team led by Harmanpreet Kaur will be eyeing to improve its record in Australia. She will be busy starting the preparations for next year’s ODI World Cup. The Indian team, which failed to make it to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in October, defeated New Zealand 2-1 in the home ODI series last month.
Such is the record against Australia
However, the challenge of Australia has always been difficult for India, who have won only four out of sixteen ODIs here so far. Last time in 2021, Australia defeated India 2-1 in the three-match series here. At the same time, defending champions Australia, which have not played in this format for the last nine months, will be eyeing to test themselves before the ODI World Cup to be held in India next year.
However, India’s hopes will rest on experienced opener Smriti Mandhana, who led India to victory by scoring a century in the decisive ODI against New Zealand last month. He will have the responsibility of maintaining this momentum and giving a solid start to India. He has scored 448 runs in the last six ODIs at an average above seventy.
These players will be missed
The Indian team will miss wicketkeeper-batsman Yastika Bhatia, who suffered a wrist injury while playing for Melbourne Stars during the Women’s Big Bash League. Young wicketkeeper Uma Chhetri, who has been included in the team in her place, would like to leave a mark in her first ODI series.
At the same time, Shefali Verma, who is struggling with poor form, has not been able to get a place in the team, who scored only 97 runs in four innings in the T-20 World Cup held in UAE in October. Even in the three matches played against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, she could score only 33, 11, 12 runs.
Eyes will be on Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh
The form of captain Harmanpreet Kaur was also a topic of discussion, who could not even reach double figures in all three matches in the last ODI series against Australia. He has this golden opportunity to answer the questions arising regarding his captaincy and batting.
Wicketkeeper batsman Richa Ghosh has returned to the team, who could not play against New Zealand due to examination. Harleen Deol, Titas Sadhu and Minnu Mani have also returned to the team. Experienced bowler Pooja Vastrakar has not got a chance to make a comeback after being out of the series against New Zealand.
For India, Deepti Sharma bowled at an economy rate of 3.6 in the ODI series against New Zealand and she would like to continue this performance. Aggressive fast bowler Saima Thakor, who made her debut against New Zealand, will also be desperate to leave a mark with her performance.
On the other hand, Australia will miss captain Alyssa Healy who is out due to a knee injury. This series is part of the ICC Women’s Championship in which Australia is currently in first place by winning thirteen out of eighteen ODIs. From this championship, apart from host India, five teams will get automatic place in next year’s World Cup.
In place of Healy, Queensland and Sydney Thunders batsman Georgia Woll has been given a chance to debut. All-rounder Tahlia McGrath will lead the team, a lot will depend on her performance. Australia has not played ODI cricket since March when it won the series by defeating Bangladesh in all three matches in Dhaka.
Australia had made a clean sweep in the last series played in Mumbai in January by winning all three matches. Opener Phoebe Litchfield had scored 260 runs including a century in that series. Whereas experienced Ellyse Perry is just 42 runs away from completing 4000 ODI runs. The weather in Brisbane is expected to be hot and humid and there is also a possibility of rain. The second match will be played on the same ground on 8th December while the last match will be played in Perth on 11th December.
This is the schedule of the series
The first ODI of the series between India and Australia will be played on December 5 at the Allan Border Field Stadium in Brisbane. This match will start at 9:50 am Indian time.
After this, both the countries will play the second match of the series on the same ground on 8th December. It is to start at 5:15 in the morning.
The third match of the series will be played on the same ground on December 11 at 9:50 am.
Where will you be able to watch live
The ODI series between India and Australia will be telecast live on Star Sports network, while live streaming of the match will be on Disney + Hotstar.
Both teams are like this:
Indian women’s team: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Uma Chhetri, Harleen Deol, Richa Ghosh, Tejal Hassabnis, Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra, Priya Punia, Arundhati Reddy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Titas Sadhu, Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Saima Thakaur, Radha Yadav.
Australia women’s team: Tahlia McGrath (captain), Ashley Gardner, Darcy Brown, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineau, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Woll, Georgia Wareham.
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