Australia vs India, third ODI as it happened: Mithali Raj and Co end hosts’ 26-match run in thriller
Updates through third and final ODI between Australia and India in Mackay.
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Follow Scroll.in’s coverage of Australia vs India here.
No ball aside, Mithali Raj and Co must look at their own failings in second ODI
After the three ODIs, the multi-format series stands at 4-2 in Australia’s favour. Next up – India’s first-ever pink-ball Test match, starting Thursday. Stay tuned for all the coverage of Australia vs India here. Leaving you with the winning runs and this wholesome moment after.
The streak ... is over!
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 26, 2021
India win by two wickets with three balls remaining 😮#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/VJBCJcCuyo
How it's going ❤️🐶 @ahealy77 pic.twitter.com/4CvmsQUorZ
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) September 26, 2021
What a win for India – truly memorable for being their highest-ever chase in ODI cricket and the significance of ending Australia’s unbeaten streak. India started the streak, and fittingly India end it after 26 matches.
A true team effort built on the youngsters standing tall, again: Yastika Bhatia batting like a veteran in her debut series, Sneh Rana, who was dropped for the second ODI for no fault of her own, coming good much lower down, Shafali Verma being the senior partner at the top, Pooja Vastrakar stepping up with the ball despite dropped catches....
Even as chase-mode India and Australia’s extras paper over some of the cracks, it is still a moment be celebrated.
But despite the loss, what an effort from Australia, who had many setbacks of their own, including not having a full-strength squad. The undisputed best team in world cricket!
Highest successful ODI chase for India women:
— hypocaust (@_hypocaust) September 26, 2021
265 v AUS, Mackay today
248 v SA, Vadodara 2019
245 v SA, Colombo 2017
232 v AUS, Hobart 2016
Highest successful ODI chase v AUS women:
276 NZ, Auckland 2017
265 IND, Mackay today
261 NZ, Chennai 2007
249 NZ, Sydney 2012#AUSvIND
Kolkata 2001, 16 test match winning streak broken
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) September 26, 2021
WACA 2008, 16 test match winning streak broken
Gabba 2021, 33 year unbeaten streak broken
Mackay 2021, 26 match winning streak broken
It has to be Indian team to break Australia's streak in cricket. Isn't it?
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWL
— ICC (@ICC) September 26, 2021
India end Australia's unbeaten streak with a thrilling last-over win in the third ODI! 🔥
📝 https://t.co/1ZwlxDd12i | #AUSvINDpic.twitter.com/eWGq8a5xjW
What a start to the #AUSvIND multi-format series it's been.
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) September 26, 2021
We'll take a 4-2 lead into the Test match which starts on Thursday! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/oT0V8iMWVZ
Player of the Match – Jhulan Goswami.
No surprises there as the 38-year-old was at the heart of the match from the first ball to the last. A stunning opening spell, figures of 10-2-37-3 and hitting the winning runs.
On Friday, she bowled a no ball as India lost a last-ball thriller. On Sunday, she wins the match with bat and ball. Jhulan Goswami, starring in Indian cricket’s biggest moments for more than 20 years now!
#AUSvIND
— The Field (@thefield_in) September 26, 2021
The winning moment. @JhulanG10 was at the heart of it all at the end of the second ODI. She now finishes the job off in the third ODI.
🎥 Cricket Australia pic.twitter.com/eWOTy0ajBQ
#AUSvIND
— The Field (@thefield_in) September 26, 2021
And finally... Australia lose an ODI match. The world record streak comes to an end.
Well done, India.
And kudos, Australia. What a team. https://t.co/3KHBRBcyPS pic.twitter.com/ELjCMG6l0b
Third ball – FOUR! INDIA WIN!
India have done it, Australia’s unbeaten run in 26 straight ODIs is over. Jhulan Goswami hits the winning runs, India win by 2 wickets with 3 balls to spare!
Everyone getting worried. This just means you get to see Jhulan Goswami hit the runs that end the streak.#AUSvIND
— hypocaust (@_hypocaust) September 26, 2021
Final over, Sophie Molineux has the ball, 4 needed to win.
First ball – no run
Second ball – Meghna Singh takes a single.
Catches... okay. #AUSvIND #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/uGhwcC5c9F
— Krithika (@krithika0808) September 26, 2021
WICKET! Sneh Rana is out on 30 off 27.
Nicola Carey has more than made for that no ball, she gets the BIG WICKET as Sneh Rana walks back after single handedly bringing India alive. A bit of a soft dismissal, her pull attempt finding the fielder. India need 4 runs off the final 6 balls, Meghna Singh and Jhulan Goswami on crease.
Irrespective of the result, India should be playing Sneh Rana in every ODI at 7 or 8 till the World Cup at the least. She has shown what's she's capable of England and following it up in Australia today. #AUSvIND
— Gomesh Shanmugavelayutham (@theumpires_call) September 26, 2021
India 257/7after 48 overs, need 8 runs in 12 balls.
Molineux bowls a superb over under pressure and strapping, giving away just 2 runs.
In a team of top order batters, Sneh Rana is showing the value of picking a career middle order finisher.
— Snehal Pradhan #MaskUp (@SnehalPradhan) September 26, 2021
India 255/7 after 47 overs, need 10 runs in 18 balls.
Back-to-back-to-back boundaries! Sneh Rana keeps India ALIVE! First a lovely boundary through fine leg on the fourth ball. On the fifth, she guides the ball uppishly through third, the sixth is lofted through mid-off. 14 runs and a wicket off the McGrath over.
WICKET! Deepti Sharma is out on 31 off 30 balls.
Tahlia McGrath is back into the attack and breaks this stand on 33 (35 balls). Nicola Carey makes up for the no ball with a good catch at backward point! Jhulan Goswami is the new bat in.
McGrath back into the attack and the dangerous Deepti goes! This time, Carey hangs on! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/yRMtWY4sZA
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 26, 2021
India 241/6 after 46 overs.
We have no-ball drama again at death again!
A boundary in the over keeps the required run rate in check.... till Sneh Rana holes it out caught and bowled on the final ball. But, but Nicola Carey has overstepped and she gets another lifeline. A free hit brings a single and brings the equation to 24 runs off 24 balls.
A full toss and a wicket when Nicola Carey is involved...
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 26, 2021
And it's a (front foot this time) no-ball 😬#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/lkGzrLVcjX
She faced one and now she's bowled one! Life has come full circle for Nicola Carey, hasn't it?! #AUSvIND #ThatWasQuick
— Ananya Upendran (@a_upendran11) September 26, 2021
India 232/6 after 45 overs.
Left-arm spinner Molineux, with her face strapped, steps up to bowl. Rana and Sharma are putting up a good rearguard effort, with their partnership now worth 24 off 25 balls. Rana get two extra lives as an admittedly tough, caught & bowled chance is missed and then Carey drops her off the last ball of the over.
India 219/6 after 43 overs.
Nicola Carey and Ash Gardner back into the attack from either ends. The scoring rate is close to 7 now.
Oh my! pic.twitter.com/xkrAlpBTaJ
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 26, 2021
Update: Sophie Molineux is back on field with a heavy strapping on her face. She has three overs left to bowl, before she was hit by the ball.
#ToughCookie #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/PwRZpbzm0B
— Mel Jones (@meljones_33) September 26, 2021
WICKET! Mithali Raj is out on 16 off 28.
Mithali Raj comes down the track to take a swing and is bowled – now that’s not a sight we see often. Annabel Sutherland starts off the 41st over with the big Indian wicket left. Sneh Rana joins fellow off-spinning all-rounder Deepti Sharma on crease. India 210/6 after 41 overs.
Wow! A wild swing from Mithali Raj and Sutherland bowls her 😮#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/0Qzz8vkAqm
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 26, 2021
India 203/5 after 40 overs
Deepti Sharma is the new bat in and has hit Campbell for two commanding boundaries in the 40th over. 10 overs to go, 62 runs needed to win and we are in for what promises to be a thrilling finish.
Don't miss these last 10 overs on @7mate!
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 26, 2021
62 from 60 is the equation in the third ODI #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/qYRQfECVXc
Another injury for Australia! Bowler Sophie Molineux is hit in the face while trying to collect the ball and is bleeding. That looks nasty, she’s off the field for now.
WICKET! Pooja Vastrakar is out on 3 off 14.
Bowled her! Pooja Vastrakar swings and Annabel Sutherland knocks back stumps through the gate. That’s half the side back in the dug-out now. Australia fightback is all but complete.
Annabel Sutherland making a case for Test selection here, esp if Haynes isn’t fit. Bats well too, and according to Healy, bowls a heavier ball than her peers. Some spell this! #AUSvIND
— Adam Burnett (@AdamBurnett09) September 26, 2021
India 192/4 after 38 overs
A SIX from Mithali Raj eases the pressure a bit but the scoring rate has inched over 6 runs per over. Not good signs at all.
To think that Mithali Raj is the only one to hit a six so far in this Indian innings. #AUSvIND #AUSvsIND
— Krithika (@krithika0808) September 26, 2021
India 183/4 after 36 overs
Pooja Vastrakar is the bat in, with the required run rate inching close to 6. Australia has squeezed it tight with the three quick wickets.
Everytime a team comes close to ending that streak, this Australian team just shows the world how wide the gap is between them and the rest of the world. Ridiculously good! #AUSvIND
— Gomesh Shanmugavelayutham (@theumpires_call) September 26, 2021
A Strano special in the outfield and Stella Campbell has her first wicket! 🤩🤩🤩pic.twitter.com/8WCPUSNLl5
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) September 26, 2021
WICKET! Yastika Bhatia is out on 64 off 69.
Oh dear, the set batter is our right after a wonderful stroke for a boundary. It takes a splendid effort from substitute fielder Molly Strano in the deep to dismiss her and Stella Campbell gets her first ODI wicket. Bhatia pulls it fine but the fielder runs in from fine leg for a low, diving catch. Not many would have caught that but this is Australia, on a 26-match winning streak. India 180/4 after 34 overs
Mithali Raj, the veteran of managing run chases, on crease with set batter Yastika Bhatia.
The gamble didn't pay off, but it was certainly worth taking.
— Ananya Upendran (@a_upendran11) September 26, 2021
Enter India's queen of chases... #AUSvIND
It's okay that she got out. In this one case, it's not the outcome but the thought of changing strategy that is important to note.
— Lavanya L Narayanan (@lav_narayanan) September 26, 2021
They know and are taking steps to counter that slow rate of scoring. Take the positives.
Now to see what happens next. #AUSvIND
WICKET! Richa Ghosh is out on 4.
So that gamble of promoting the keeper was... short lived. Annabel Sutherland with the dismissal, a tame one by all standards as the 17-year-old flicks it straight to the fielder at mid-wicket.
The momentum has completely changed now with two quick wickets, India 166/3 after 31 overs.
GONE! It's Sophie Molineux who goes straight through Shafali Verma for Australia's much needed breakthrough! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/gAPrFe833J
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 26, 2021
WICKET! Shafali Verma is out on 56 off 91.
Sophie Molineux breaks the partnership just as it crosses the 100-run mark (101 off 114) The 17-year-old is bowled, missing the ball completely. Something had to give as it was becoming increasingly evident that she’s struggling and the the fifty didn’t seem to bring in a new lease of life.
Richa Ghosh promoted to No 4, is the new bat in. India 160/2 after 30 overs, need 105 from 120 balls.
Another injury update, Beth Mooney is off field as well.
Second update: Beth Mooney is experiencing some hamstring awareness and is off the field.
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) September 26, 2021
She won't return to the field today. https://t.co/2pB2tHyoTZ
FIFTY for Yastika Bhatia!
Playing her debut series, it’s her FIRST ODI FIFTY as well. She gets there in 56 balls, the aggressor in this chase. The 21-year-old was a bit of a gamble at No 3 when more experienced players were on the bench, but she has repaid the faith and how!
Yastika reaches her milestone as well #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/NPjkwh33K9
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 26, 2021
FIFTY for Shafali Verma!
It’s the FIRST ODI FIFTY for the 17-year-old and what a time to get there, leading India’s chase as the senior partner. The opener gets there off 86 balls.
That's 50 for Shafali Verma #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/o1qcqUlXuZ
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 26, 2021
India 150/1 after 27 overs
Boundaries coming every over now! Tahlia McGrath comes back into the attack and goes for 11 runs, with the wide ball going for four continuing to pile on the runs in the extra column. Both Verma and Bhatia on 49 runs, the 250 up for India.
India 131/1 after 25 overs, need 134 runs off 150 balls
India are placed well at the halfway mark in the chase, with less than 6 needed per over.
Verma and Bhatia have done well to keep the scoreboard ticking with their running and have gotten a boundary in each of the last three overs. The partnership is worth 72 off 87 now and looking good. Verma has even got a lifeline, with a rare dropped catch in the field.
Is this chance off Verma going to hurt Australia?
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 26, 2021
Live #AUSvIND: https://t.co/r6DWpu56H1 pic.twitter.com/9SPX1aTFEp
Things you love to see. Harmanpreet Kaur back in the nets. #AUSvIND #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/vbwug4jP8Z
— Krithika (@krithika0808) September 26, 2021
India 110/1 after 22 overs
The 50-run partnership comes up between Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia, 51 off 71 balls. A very crucial stand for India as the opener moves into the 40s, playing a controlled innings after her senior partner was out early.
Shafali going at 56. Having spent time, can’t afford to throw her wicket away now. Seems to have made a conscious decision to bat deep. Double-edged sword
— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) September 26, 2021
India 105/1 after 21 overs
Nicola Carey comes into the attack as the spin-seam combination continues. Four runs off her first over.
Those numbers! 🔥 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/9QGiqTJL4y
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 26, 2021
India 101/1 after 20 overs
The 100 comes up for India in the 20th over, as Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia are stitching together a handy stand. (41 off 56 as of now) Both are going for the shots, especially against the spin of Gardner. Molineux has come in for Campbell from the other end.
Random: Baroda vs Haryana under-23.
— Krithika (@krithika0808) September 26, 2021
Yastika Bhatia opened the innings for Baroda, scored 145.
Shafali Verma opened the innings for Haryana, scored 110.
Today, they are playing together for India. #AUSvIND #AUSvsIND
Injury update: Rachael Haynes is off the field with what is a hamstring injury, announce the commentators. She had also missed the second ODI after sustaining an injury during training.
Rachael Haynes has injured her right hamstring after this play earlier in the day.
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 26, 2021
She won't return to the field this afternoon #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/xkeguRt1RG
Meanwhile, in case you missed it early in the morning India time, the first Indian recruits have been signed up for the Women’s Big Bash League.
Women’s Big Bash League: Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma sign for Sydney Thunder
India 77/1 after 16 overs
A fascinating battle between Shafali Verma and Stella Campbell is underway and that 16th over was spicy. Ends with a coolly slammed boundary through mid-off, but a couple of sharp shooters from the pacer got her uncomfortably placed before.
Shafali Verma is 23 (50). Clearly trying to occupy the crease, and find a template that helps her bat deeper in the 50 over format. If she gets out here it will hurt India, but it's important for her to be given the freedom to try this. #AUSvsIND
— Snehal Pradhan #MaskUp (@SnehalPradhan) September 26, 2021
India 73/1 after 15 overs
Gardner’s spin and Campbell’s pace doing a good job of keeping the run rate low. But Bhatia breaks the shackles, briefly, for a classic lofted boundary through mid-off against Gardner.
Shafali Verma versus Stella Campbell. Looking forward. #AUSvIND
— S. Sudarshanan (@Sudarshanan7) September 26, 2021
India 64/1 after 12 overs
Pacer Stella Campbell, making her debut, into the attack after spin does breaks the opening stand. Four runs off the over as the difference in both teams’ athleticism is highlighted again – in fielding and running between the wickets.
Ashleigh Gardner v Smriti Mandhana #AUSvIND https://t.co/Rq7zxyS7yj
— Laura Jolly (@JollyLauz18) September 26, 2021
WICKET! Smriti Mandhana is out on 22 off 25.
Ash Gardner comes into the attack and strikes in her first over, breaking the opening stand. Mandhana comes down the track against the off-spinner but doesn’t get the right power under it as it sails over mid-off. A superb catch from Sutherland, who ran back into the deep, kept her eyes on the ball and dived to collect it without fault. The difference between the two sides’ fielding efforts being seen very early.
Yastika Bhatia the new bat in. India 60/1 after 11 overs
A brilliant catch from Annabel Sutherland running back with the flight of the ball!
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 26, 2021
Ash Gardner gets the breakthrough for Australia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/JfC98Rh1qD
India 55/0 after 10 overs.
There comes the change in bowling. Left arm orthodox spinner Sophie Molineux comes into the attack and starts off with a maiden that has already produced a couple of chances. We could call that a mixed Powerplay at best.
Perry's spell has more extras than my school play ever did #AUSvIND
— Radha (@radhalathgupta) September 26, 2021
This is technically a three-member fifty-run opening partnership for India. 😅
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) September 26, 2021
Smriti Mandhana 18
Shafali Verma 19
Extras 18#AUSvIND
India 55/0 after 9 overs.
The 50 comes up for India in the ninth over, courtesy a wide ball that runs off to the boundary. Another wide–ish ball is played fine with Mandhana to make it a very good over with 11 runs off it.
Perry has really struggled with the new ball, but it’s an advantage for the Indian opening stand, which has put up a second straight 50-run partnership.
India has always got a good start in ODIs.
— Vishal Yadav (@vishalyadavgcc) September 26, 2021
Thanks to Ellyse Perry. #AUSvIND
India 44/0 after 8 overs.
A boundary after what seems like a long time! The fielder almost saves it... but Mandhana has played that well and gets the runs.
India 37/0 after 7 overs.
And the scoring rate has been pegged back! Just 3 runs in the last two overs, very good comeback from Perry.
It’s really hard watching Ellyse Perry struggling with the ball. She’s such an Aussie legend I just want her to get a wicket so bad! One wicket could change everything! #GoEllyse ❤️ #AUSvIND
— Phil Staley (@Phil_Staley) September 26, 2021
India 34/0 after 5 overs.
Much better couple of overs from Australia’s perspective, despite the extras coming. But the run rate is good thanks to the two big overs.
Yastika Bhatia seen shadow batting on the sidelines, so it may be assumed she’s the No 3 bat today.
India 25/0 after 3 overs.
Perry’s unfortunate start with the new ball continues for the third straight match! Her second over goes for 15 runs – 5 wides, 4 byes, and an edge that falls short of the fielders and runs to the boundary.
As Megan Schutt said in our first match review, Perry has adjusted her run up. It doesn't seem particularly noticeable but it may be just enough to disrupt her rhythm. #AUSvIND
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) September 26, 2021
India 10/0 after 2 overs.
Perry starts with just one wide off the first over but Shafali Verma gets off the mark with a boundary as McGrath goes for 9 in her wayward opening over; her first with the new ball for Australia.
Tahlia McGrath taking the new ball for the first time for Australia 🔥 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/k6H4rFVSR7
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 26, 2021
Time for India’s chase. Needing 264 to win, India will need their highest ever second innings total in ODIs to get there.
And even in unsuccessful chases, this will be uncharted territory for India women. Their highest 2nd innings total regardless of result is 261.#AUSvIND https://t.co/oA8j31lEZi
— hypocaust (@_hypocaust) September 26, 2021
Australia finish on 264/9.
India have a tough chase on their hands, their highest ever in a win. Mithali Raj and Co need to regroup quickly after the latter part of the first innings felt like a battering ram against their morale with the batters onslaught and misfields.
Shafali Verma has a lot to make up for on the field, and one hopes she takes that aggression out with the bat. Smriti Mandhana was sublime in the last match and will aim to continue that, this time in the chase.
Join us in a bit for the chase.
Australia finish on 9/264, recovering from 4/87 at the halfway mark #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/4BfJIIpuWH
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 26, 2021
Good final over from Jhulan but India still need pull off their highest ever ODI run chase (bettering 5-248 v SA in 2019) to pick up their first points of the series #AUSvIND https://t.co/rHRJxPSHDk
— Laura Jolly (@JollyLauz18) September 26, 2021
Very well bowled by @JhulanG10 but the 265 could have been 225 all out had @BCCIWomen fielded better. 8 catches dropped and 20 misfields let Aus get away. And some of the catches were regulation ones.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) September 26, 2021
WICKET! Annabel Sutherland out on first-ball duck.
Jhulan Goswami adds to her historic ODI numbers with a third wicket of the match, as Deepti Sharma holds on to a good catch at mid-wicket. Good to have a straightforward piece of fielding when the batter miscues and offers a simple catch.
WICKET! Tahlia McGrath is out on 47 off 32.
The 250 comes up for Australia at the start of the 49th over. The misfields keep coming for India. But, here comes a wicket as well, after back-to-back boundaries off Vastrakar. But McGrath has done the job fabulously, her blistering knock taking Australia to their proposed target and beyond. Australia 260/7 after 49 overs.
I have said it before and i'll say it again...
— Kapil Choudhary (@kapil857) September 26, 2021
This team needs a long and rigorous fielding-only camp...for like 2-3 months...
Worry about everything else later #AUSvIND
Australia 243/6 after 47 overs.
DROPPED. Nicola Carey gets the gift this time, as her top edge, a catching-practice-worthy chance, is put down by Shafali Verma. Misfields and runs through gaps still on too. The ‘240-250’ that Haynes said will be competitive in these conditions has been achieved.
Team India's fielding summarized in one GIF! pic.twitter.com/ktXvn9qXta
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 26, 2021
Oh man, you cannot end a 26-match streak if you keep dropping catches like that. Very poor from India today. #AUSvIND
— Gomesh Shanmugavelayutham (@theumpires_call) September 26, 2021
WICKET! Ash Gardner is out on 67 off 62.
For real, this time. Garnder swings and hits it straight to Mithali Raj, who had positioned herself at short fine leg. She doesn’t drop it and has a grin as she gets a catch in an unlikely spot. But something had to stick, right? Pooja Vastrakar has her second wicket as India can finally breathe just a little easy. Nicola Carey is the new bat in. Australia 225/6 after 45 overs.
Got to feel for Rajeshwari Gayakwad. Mooney dropped once off her and then Gardner, too. Sitters both.
— Annesha Ghosh (@ghosh_annesha) September 26, 2021
Mooney later taken by Rana, Gardner by Vastrakar. Gayakwad, meanwhile, has remained wicketless.#AUSvIND
WICKE.... Dropped!
This might be the worst of the lot today as keeper Richa Ghosh spills a simple, high catch from a Gardner slog off Gayakwad that is usually only offered during warm-up sessions. Perhaps it’s contagious, the misfielding? The first ball of the over was a gifted boundary, right after a tight over from Vastrakar. Australia 220/5 after 44 overs.
As if their depth wasn't scary enough, India's fielding has essentially been an extra batter for Australia. #AUSvIND
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) September 26, 2021
Painful watching Shafali Verma at the boundary line.
— Lavanya L Narayanan (@lav_narayanan) September 26, 2021
No caption. #AUSvIND #AUSvsIND #ShafaliVerma pic.twitter.com/Sa3c4qgU8b
— Krithika (@krithika0808) September 26, 2021
Australia 208/5 after 42 overs
Australia lost a big wicket but the scores of the next two overs don’t reflect that at all. 10 runs off Gayakwad, 13 runs off Rana as McGrath picks up from where Mooney left off. We have already cried ourselves hoarse talking about how deep Australia bat, but just look at the No 7 come in and hit. Good chance for Gardner to go big after a long time too.
For the first time in 251 deliveries against them, India finally gets Beth Mooney out. #AUSvIND #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/GdoqpWyBoI
— Krithika (@krithika0808) September 26, 2021
That's a delicious way to bring up a half-century!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 26, 2021
Well played Ashleigh Gardner! #AUSvIND | @CadburyAU pic.twitter.com/aHKECAWXyJ
FIFTY for Ash Gardner! FIFTY for Beth Mooney! WICKET!
Boundaries. Misfields. Mooney and Gardner piling on the runs. SIX. HALF-CENTURY. BOWLED. It’s all happening in the 40th over!
First, Gardner wins the race to half-century with a thumping six. Mooney gets to her milestone with a boundary couple of balls later. Also 3000 ODI runs.
Last ball and Rana knocks over Mooney’s stumps, finally getting her out in this series and breaking the stand that had turned ominous.
With 10 overs to go, the Aussies have set themselves a wonderful platform... With Tahlia McGrath, anchor of the last match, in and Gardner set in. Big test for Indian bowlers coming up. Australia 185/5 after 40 overs
So much talent in this India side and it's so frustrating to keep seeing them making errors in the field. It could genuinely cost them a World Cup. #AUSvIND
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) September 26, 2021
Australia 163/4 after 38 overs.
Beth Mooney is DROPPED again! This time, a simple return catch for bowler Sneh Rana She adds insult to injury, with back-to-back boundaries on the last two balls of the over, aided by a misfield. Mooney moves to 46 with 8 runs off the over, she loves batting against India!
Mooney dropped! Chances aplenty for India but they're not being taken #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/hgGOrS0dwP
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 26, 2021
Mooney dropped! Chances aplenty for India but they're not being taken #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/hgGOrS0dwP
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 26, 2021
Australia 148/4 after 36 overs.
Jhulan Goswami back into the attack after the successful opening spell and gives away 2 lose balls for 5 runs. Sneh Rana, from the other end, bowls a poor one after a maiden and goes for 13 runs. That’s also the 50-run stand between Beth Mooney and Ash Gardner, which is now worth 61 off 70 balls.
Cracking shot from Ash Gardner.
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) September 26, 2021
LIVE: https://t.co/1ohzvzL9uV #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/koGm7OMwPb
Australia 130/4 after 34 overs.
DROPPED! You don’t drop Beth Mooney... not when she is building up a very good partnership. Meghna Singh spills an easy chance and India will hope there won’t be a very heavy price to pay as last match’s centurion settles in firm.
Runs wise, good couple of overs from Gayakwad (2 runs) and Rana (maiden)
You don't drop Mooney!! 😭😭😤 #AUSvIND
— Vaishnavi Srinivasan (@VaishSrini93) September 26, 2021
Australia 128/4 after 32 overs.
Rajeshwari Gayakwad back into the attack as Mithali Raj rotates her bowlers well to not let the batters settle. A good over for Australia follows, with 7 runs off Singh and a cracking boundary from Gardner. The partnership is now worth 41 off 45.
Australia 117/4 after 30 overs.
Meghna Singh back into the attack, after a much neater over from Vastrakar. Rachael Haynes, on the headset, says Australia are aiming for 240-250 which will be “really competitive” in the conditions.
Meanwhile, here’s Deepti Sharma’s sendoff to Ellyse Perry. Interesting!
Deepti Sharma 👀#AUSvIND #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/QnR6Qf9DMa
— Krithika (@krithika0808) September 26, 2021
Meanwhile, former Australia player Lisa Sthalekar makes some very important points of Indian women’s cricket – the domestic planning the lack of explanation in selection calls, the musical chairs for pacers, even series timing.
So good to hear @sthalekar93 highlighting the domestic women's cricket in India and the exclusion of Mansi Joshi from the squad. #AUSvIND
— Vishal Yadav (@vishalyadavgcc) September 26, 2021
Questioning the board more than any Indian ever has. 😭
— Habil Ahmed (@hblahmed) September 26, 2021
Australia 107/4 after 28 overs.
Ash Gardner is the new bat in. The 100 comes up for Australia in the 28th over, after finally getting a big, 9-run over courtesy a wayward Vastrakar after the wicket. An 8-run over from Sharma follows as Mooney and Gardner inject the momentum into the innings.
A lovely looking shot from Ash Gardner!
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) September 26, 2021
Tune into the action live on 7Mate, Fox Cricket or Kayo #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/RQQfeqM6OA
Wicket! Ellyse Perry is out on 26 off 47
Pooja Vastrakar breaks the partnership before it can properly settle in to rebuild. The star Aussie all-rounder’s poor run of form in this series continues as she is dismissed, quite tamely. Slashes at a short and wide delivery, virtually offering catching practice to Deepti Sharma at backward point. Australia 87/4 after 25 overs.
5,000 international runs for Ellyse Perry 👏#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/65i9cZ5wMb
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 26, 2021
Australia 81/3 after 23 overs.
Pacer Pooja Vastrakar comes into the attack and bowls a couple of tight overs in tandem with Deepti Sharma. Building pressure.
Miss those days when Bisht & Gayakwad used to bowl in tandem from either ends.
— Abhay (@ImAbhay3) September 26, 2021
Don't know when next they'll play a game together.
India won 12/19 ODIs with both in the XI.
In those 12 wins their combined figs being 46 wickets @ 14.5, striking every 28 balls & at an eco of just 3
Australia 74/3 after 20 overs.
Beth Mooney, star centurion of the second ODI, is in at No 4.
Deepti Sharma comes into the attack and Perry smacks her for a boundary on the first ball to release some of the pressure building up.
WICKET! Alyssa Healy is out on 35 off 47.
The opener is run out at the non-striker’s end, a brutal way to go after getting set in. She had almost been dismissed off the previous delivery but the ball fell short. This time, Perry hits straight through bowler Gayakwad’s hands and it deflects onto the stumps. Healy, backing up, knows she’s out and walks off before the third umpire can confirm. Australia 63/3 after 18 overs.
Lucky break for Rajeshwari and India. Healy run out at the non-striker's end #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/7oUtBSBPnj
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 26, 2021
Australia 53/2 after 15 overs
Sneh Rana comes in as India go for spin from both ends. Healy and Perry being cautious after the two quick wickets. The 50 comes up in the 14th over.
Jhulan Goswami’s opening spell – 6-2-15-2 with the wickets of Rachael Haynes & Meg Lanning (on a duck!) This just a day after the last-gasp no-ball that saw Australia win the dramatic 2nd ODI. The 38-year-old pacer is inarguably India’s biggest and most important constant!
#AUSvIND @JhulanG10 becomes the first bowler to dismiss Meg Lanning for a duck twice in ODIs. 🔥
— The Field (@thefield_in) September 26, 2021
🎥 Cricket Australiahttps://t.co/SDnfvr81mv
Australia 45/2 after 12 overs
Four runs off the Gayakwad over as Australia restart after three straight maidens. Ellyse Perry gets off the mark and will be looking to get some runs in this series.
Bowlers who have got Meg Lanning out for a duck most often in ODIs:
— hypocaust (@_hypocaust) September 26, 2021
2 Jhulan Goswami
1 Katherine Brunt, Shanel Daley, Asmavia Iqbal, Anya Shrubsole#AUSvIND https://t.co/SpkQA3C3SR
STAT ALERT: This is Sixth duck for Lanning in ODIs and Goswami becomes the only bowler to do it twice. The first? Oh, that peach from the 2017 World Cup semi-final, of course!
#AUSvIND
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) September 26, 2021
The first, of course, was this peach in the 2017 World Cup. 🔥pic.twitter.com/31QfzJH0cR
Australia 41/2 after 10 overs
Spin comes in the 10th over and Rajeshwari Gayakwad bowls a second straight maiden for India. After 8 overs going Australia’s way, the last two make it India’s Powerplay.
Meg Lanning is out for a duck! 😮
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 26, 2021
Well bowled from Jhulan Goswami, well caught from Richa Ghosh #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/l7BhtB1Kin
WICKET! Meg Lanning is out on 0 off 4.
A DOUBLE-WICKET MAIDEN for Goswami! as the Australian captain is dismissed on a duck – not a sight seen often. The Indian bowls a perfect line and induces an edge that is taken by keeper Richa Ghosh with a neat little diving catch. A terrific ninth over, Australia 41/2.
WICKET! Rachael Haynes is out on 13 off 28.
Jhulan Goswami strikes, gets her reward for the very good opening spell as she breaks the opening stand right after a big over. Haynes goes for a big swing but has no control over the shot and ends up holing out a high and easy catch for Shafali Verma at mid-off.
Meg Lanning is the new bat in.
Australia 41/0 after 8 overs
There comes the big Powerplay over for Australia! Three boundaries and 13 runs as Meghna Singh is put under the pump by the openers looking to up the ante.
Goswami v Haynes has been an absolute treat to watch at the start of this #AusvInd ODI! World class v world class. Switch on your TV’s future fast bowlers and opening batters. https://t.co/QIC2gmFQiJ
— Mel Jones (@meljones_33) September 26, 2021
Australia 28/0 after 7 overs
A boundary on the last ball of the last two overs as Healy and Haynes impose after five very good balls from Singh and Goswami.
Australia 17/0 after 5 overs
Very tidy and tight couple of overs from the Indian pacers... Till an edge off Healy races through the slips for a boundary.
Beth Mooney opens the batting in place of Rachael Haynes, plays one of the all-time great ODI innings, but gives way next match to Haynes again, extending the depth of the batting order.
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) September 26, 2021
This Australian side shouldn't be legal.
Meanwhile, some great news for Indian cricket. Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma have been signed by Sydney Thunder for the Women’s Big Bash League. Will be crucial experience, as we all know.
It's happening! Two very exciting signatures for the @ThunderBBL.
— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) September 25, 2021
Can't wait to see what you can do in the lime green, Smriti and Deepti 😁
Full story: https://t.co/LwiVsQAsRT #WBBL07 pic.twitter.com/nOA6JaDPli
Australia 11/0 after 2 overs
Meghna Singh from the other end. The newcomer has got to play all three ODIs, a good sign for her but not as much for Shikha Pandey on the bench.
Haynes gets a boundary in this over as well, 7 runs coming off it.
In case you’re wondering how deep Australia bat....
Sophie Molineux, who opens the batting for Victoria in the WNCL, is down to bat at No. 10 today.#AUSvIND
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) September 26, 2021
Australia 4/0 after 1 over
Jhulan Goswami with the new ball, against Alyssa Healy & Rachael Haynes. It is Haynes, returning from injury, that sets the tone with a boundary off the second ball. But that’s the only runs they get off the veteran.... whose last over featured the dramatic no-ball one.
Stella Campbell, a 19-year-old pacer, receives her ODI cap from her Sydney Sixers team-mate Ellyse Perry. Read more about her here
Stella Campbell, 19, hopeful of ODI debut after good show in warm-up game
From one @SixersBBL player to another, Stella Campbell receives her first ODI 🧢 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/KcZ44k22Ed
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 25, 2021
Enjoy every minute, Stella! 🤩#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/YrZv1tuI1t
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) September 25, 2021
TEAM CHANGES
India bring in off-spinning all-rounder Sneh Rana for leg spinner Poonam Yadav. For Australia, Rachael Haynes returns from injury, Annabel Sutherland comes in and Stella Campbell makes her debut ODI while injured Georgia Wareham and other young pacers Darcie Brown and Hannah Darlington are rested.
PLAYING XIs
India: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Yastika Bhatia, Mithali Raj (capt), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Jhulan Goswami, Meghna Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Sneh Rana.
Australia: Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy (wk), Meg Lanning (capt), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Nicola Carey, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux, Stella Campbell
TOSS TIME: Australia have won the toss, again, and Meg Lanning has chosen to bat first this time.
05.00 am: Hello all and welcome to the live coverage of the third and final One Day International on India’s tour of Australia. The hosts, in case you had not heard, have not lost a match since October 2017 and their win streak almost came to an end in the second match on Friday. Normally, a 2-0 scoreline in a three-match series would mean little interest in the third. But this is a multi-format series with points at stake for every match. And there is a World Cup on the horizon. And oh, the small matter of the 26-match win streak.
No ball aside, Mithali Raj and Co must look at their own failings in second ODI