AUS-W vs IND-W 1st ODI: Megan Schutt Leads to Victory

The opening match of the three-game ODI series between Australia Women and India Women at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane was a stark showcase of Australia’s supremacy. Dominating with both bat and ball, the hosts registered a comprehensive five-wicket victory, taking a 1-0 lead. Megan Schutt's stellar performance with the ball was instrumental, while India faltered with the bat, unable to capitalize on their decision to bat first.

India’s Fragile Start with the Bat

Electing to bat first, India’s innings started on a shaky note, courtesy of Megan Schutt's brilliant opening spell. Priya Punia struggled to get going, managing just 3 runs off 17 balls before Schutt struck to send her back. Smriti Mandhana, a key player for India, fell shortly after, managing only 8 off 10 balls. Her dismissal left India at 17-2 within the first five overs, putting immense pressure on the middle order.
Harleen Deol, returning to the playing XI, stepped in at number three but failed to make a meaningful impact. Her promising start of 19 off 34 deliveries was cut short as she holed out to Annabel Sutherland at mid-on off Ashleigh Gardner's bowling. By the 12th over, India had slumped to 42-3, with their top order back in the pavilion.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, expected to stabilize the innings, couldn’t rise to the occasion. She was trapped leg-before-wicket by Annabel Sutherland for just 17 runs. With the score at 62-4, India’s chances of posting a competitive total looked bleak.

Megan Schutt’s Bowling Masterclass

Jemimah Rodrigues attempted to steady the innings with a patient 23 off 42 balls, sharing a 27-run partnership with wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh. However, this brief period of consolidation was short-lived as Kim Garth dismissed Rodrigues in the 27th over, initiating a dramatic collapse.
India’s final six wickets fell for just 11 runs, as the team was bundled out for a mere 100 runs in 34.2 overs. Megan Schutt, in peak form, ran through the Indian lower order, ending with exceptional figures of 5-19—her career-best in ODIs. Her consistent line and length left the Indian batters clueless. Spinner Alana King added to the carnage, dismissing debutant Titas Sadhu and finishing with 1-18 from her five overs.

Australia’s Aggressive Start in the Chase

With just 101 runs to chase, Australian openers Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll came out with an attacking mindset. Litchfield, in particular, displayed a brilliant array of shots, smashing eight boundaries during her quick 35 off 29 balls. Together, the duo added 48 runs in just seven overs, taking full advantage of the powerplay.
India finally broke through when Litchfield lofted a delivery from Renuka Singh Thakur straight to Harmanpreet Kaur at mid-off. This dismissal gave India a glimmer of hope, as they aimed to claw their way back into the game.

India’s Spirited Fightback