Australia’s women’s cricket team chases clean sweep of ODI series against India

Australia’s women’s cricketers have responded in style to their shock T20 World Cup semi-final loss to South Africa.

The Australian women’s cricket team is intent on “pushing the boundaries” of what it can achieve following the disappointment of being beaten in the T20 World Cup semi-finals.

Australia has responded to the shock T20 loss to South Africa by outclassing India with the bat and the ball in the one-day international series between the teams.

Having already clinched the three-game series with two convincing wins in Brisbane, the Australians are keen to make it a clean sweep with another victory in Perth on Wednesday.

However, the hosts also want to win in style.

Beth Mooney (left) and Ellyse Perry congratulate each other during Australia’s weekend win over India. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“We want to win the next game, definitely, but importantly we want to play the way we’ve been playing, which has been really positive,” said star all-rounder Ellyse Perry, who made an impressive 105 off just 75 balls in her side’s crushing 122-run weekend win at Allan Border Field.

“I don’t think we really know that’s possible yet as a group, so I just want to be there to contribute in any way that pops up.

“The whole general feeling among the group is that we’re really trying to strive for something new here, and that’s motivating in itself.

“We’re just trying to play as positive as we can, make the most of the incredible depth that we’ve got in our team and just look to keep pushing ourselves.

“I don’t know what that looks like, I don’t think anyone does, but I guess that’s the point of trying to find out.”

Perry said the team had spoken “candidly” about where the T20 World Cup title defence “went wrong” in October.

“But it was just one game (against South Africa),” Perry said.

“We’re wanting to look more broadly than that as a group of where we want to take our game, regardless of what happened in that semi-final.

“We just want to keep pushing the boundaries, and that’s beyond World Cup semis and results, and more how we play.”

Perry was confident Australia’s future was bright, particularly with the emergence of players such as Georgia Voll.

Georgia Voll celebrates after scoring her maiden century for Australia. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Having made 46 not out on debut last Thursday, Voll – the replacement for injured skipper Alyssa Healy – backed it up on Sunday with 101 off 87 balls.

“She’s just really unflappable and seems to take every opportunity in her stride,” Perry said of the opener.

“It’s nice to know how much depth and talent we have in our batting order, which makes it really competitive for spots.

“For Georgia to make the most of the chance she’s got … is great. That’s all you can ask of any player – to continually push everyone around them and play the best they can and make the most of any opportunity they get.”

“In Georgia's case, she’s firmly put herself in the mind of the team and the selectors – that’s for sure.”

Originally published as Australia’s women’s cricket team chases clean sweep of ODI series against India