Megan Schutt’s ODI best and a bright Georgia Voll debut have sunk India to a 12-year low in a one-sided ODI series opener in Brisbane.
The visitors lost 6-11 to be bowled out for just 100 after opting to bat first at Allan Border Field on Thursday afternoon.
It was India’s lowest total in the 50-over format since 2012 and the second-worst lower-order collapse in women’s ODI cricket.
A maiden five-wicket haul by Schutt (5-19) powered the hosts, before debutant Voll’s unbeaten 46 off 42 balls ensured they reached the target inside 17 overs with five wickets in hand.
“Things went pretty well … it was pretty clinical,” Schutt said.
“We speak a bit about how we can be slow starters in a series and be a bit nervy, but it didn’t look like that out there.
“It sets a statement going forward.”
It could have been even uglier for the tourists, who took 3-2 after Phoebe Litchfield (35 off 29) had taken 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.
Australia had motored to 48 inside seven overs before she departed, Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney both then out for one as the hosts lost 3-4.
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.
“(I love) the way Volly came out on debut, in the team to play an attacking role,” Schutt said.
“It’s beautiful … we speak a lot about our domestic program, the strongest in the world, and that just proves it.
“Super impressive and it means that eventually when I pull the pin (and retire) I know there’s someone to replace me.”
Schutt credited Kim Garth’s (1-20) pressure for her early wickets, Smriti Mandhana’s edged cut shot just carrying to wicketkeeper Beth Mooney, and Priya Punia skying a reckless slog attempt after she had mustered just three runs from 17 balls.
Offspinner 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 got the key wicket of 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.
Georgia Wareham reduced the tourists to 6-92 with a direct-hit run-out from the boundary that caught Deepti Sharma marginally short.
Litchfield took a sharp catch at short cover to continue the Aussies’ fielding masterclass.
Schutt’s stump-to-stump bowling then proved too much for the Indian tail as they lost 4-3.
“We were all geared up for this series,” India coach Amol Muzumdar said, lamenting his top order’s lack of application.
“With a bit more of a total … you never know.”
Game two of the series is in Brisbane on Sunday, before they move to Perth.
Content Source: www.perthnow.com.au