Howzat? Wareham stuns from the boundary, Schutt stars as Australia sink India to 12-year low

A maiden five-wicket haul from Megan Schutt and a direct-hit runout by Georgia Wareham have helped Australia sink India to a 12-year low in their one-day international series opener in Brisbane.

Schutt’s 5-19 powered the hosts as the visitors lost 6-11 and made just 100 after opting to bat first at Allan Border Field on Thursday afternoon, their lowest total in the 50-over format since 2012.

When Australia’s run chase began, it looked like an ugly day was going to get even uglier for India.

Australia motored to 48 inside seven overs as Phoebe Litchfield (35 off 29) took on the new ball.

The left-handed Litchfield enjoyed an early slice of luck but quickly hit top gear, peppering backward point with a series of square drives.

But India swooped, taking three wickets as Litchfield departed and then Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney were out for one and the hosts lost 3-4.

However, debutant Georgia Voll’s unbeaten 46 off 42 balls ensured Australia recovered to reach the target inside 17 overs.

Voll had started with authority, pasting her first ball in international cricket off the back foot through cover to the boundary.

She watched the mini collapse from the other end and held her nerve in an encouraging start as the injured Alyssa Healy’s top-order replacement.

Earlier, the Australians had put on a fielding masterclass, led by recent WBBL champion Wareham and capped off by a sharp catch at short cover by Litchfield.

When Wareham’s one-handed pick-up and throw from the boundary caught Deepti Sharma just short of the crease, India were reeling at 6-92.

They had already had to deal with tight early overs from Kim Garth (1-20) and Schutt, which had quickly led to wickets – Smriti Mandhana’s edged cut shot just carrying to wicketkeeper Mooney, and Priya Punia skying a reckless slog attempt after she had mustered just three runs from 17 balls.

Off-spinner Gardner didn’t offer any respite, Annabel Sutherland reaching to snaffle a catch that ended a Harleen Deol innings that had shown fleeting promise.

Sutherland then trapped Harmanpreet Kaur in front of her stumps as India went nearly 10 overs without a boundary.

Mooney’s move up to the stumps spooked Jemimah Rodrigues (23 off 42), who was clean bowled by Garth.

Schutt’s stump-to-stump bowling proved too much for the Indian tail as they lost 4-3.

Game two of the series is in Brisbane on Sunday, before they move to Perth.

AAP

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