Megan Schutt fifer helps Australia thump India in series opener

Megan Schutt scythed through the Indian batting line-up to bundle them out for just 100 runs and then debutant Georgia Voll led Australia’s batting efforts as they handed the visitors one of their biggest defeats in recent times at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane on Thursday (December 5).

Opting to bat first, India faltered early against a disciplined Australian attack led by pacers Schutt and Kim Garth. Opening alongside Priya Punia, Smriti Mandhana chased a wide one off Schutt to be dismissed in the third over and that set the tone for the game.

The top order struggled as Punia stuttered on her return managing just three runs off 17 balls before becoming Schutt’s second wicket in the seventh over. Harleen Deol, coming back after a long layoff, struggled as well even as she showed promise with a couple of boundaries later.

But with runs hard to come by, Deol stepped out to loft Gardner in her first over and was caught brilliantly by Annabel Sutherland to leave India reeling at 48 for 3.  

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur tried to steady the ship briefly but fell to Sutherland in the 14th over with DRS returning an umpire's call with the score reading 67 for 4. Jemimah Rodrigues, fresh from a good WBBL stint with Brisbane Heat, battled hard but struggled to accelerate.

Rodrigues broke the boundary drought after nearly 40 minutes at the crease but couldn’t convert her start as she was bowled by Kim Garth for 23 off 42. Once the diminutive batter was dismissed, India’s innings nosedived as they lost six wickets for just 11 runs to go from 89 for 5 to 100 all out.

Deepti Sharma first fell to a brilliant run-out by Georgia Wareham from the deep before Richa Ghosh went for a pull and was caught by Garth at short mid-wicket.

Schutt capped off a stellar performance, claiming her maiden ODI five-wicket haul with her final victim Priya Mishra getting bowled by a brilliant off-cutter. India’s innings lasted only a dismal 34.2 overs with the visitors just managing to make it to the three-figure mark.

Opening in her first innings at this level, Voll started confidently in the company of Phoebe Litchfield as they went about chasing the modest target. Voll got off the mark in style, slapping a slightly short delivery through cover for a boundary on her first ball in ODI cricket.

The Australian openers quickly settled in, with Litchfield unleashing her attacking intent. She danced down the wicket to loft Renuka Singh Thakur over the infield and followed up with consecutive boundaries off Titas Sadhu, one of which flew over the slip cordon.

Litchfield showcased her immense talent, smashing six consecutive fours, bringing up a blistering 35 before falling to Renuka. The Indian swing bowler struck soon after with the big wickets of Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney to briefly spark some hope for India.

By the end of the 10th over, Australia were 49 for 3, with Voll looking solid on her debut. The big-hitting right-hander found gaps with ease. Sutherland, however, couldn’t capitalize and fell to the leggie Priya Mishara.

Post the drinks break, Voll resumed in style, reaching 34 off 33 balls, including a four and a massive six that showcased her composure and power. Ashleigh Gardner joined the party, smashing a six of her own before being stumped off Mishra’s bowling. But it was too little too late.

The finishing touches were applied by the captain Tahlia McGrath, who crunched a full delivery from Titas Sadhu through backward point for a boundary, sealing the game for Australia with ease.

Australia’s fielding and tight bowling, led by Schutt’s 5/19 and supported by King and Gardner, ensured India never found momentum throughout the match.

Schutt was elated on winning the player of the match for her maiden five-wicket haul and credited Garth for keeping things tight against the Indian top order.

“I think the fact that I finally got some reward with Kim (Garth) doing all the hard yards at the other end, threw the ball on the string and I was doing wickets at the other. It was really nice.”

India will need a significant turnaround in the second game - a day game at the same venue - to compete against this dominant Australian side after that thumping.

Brief Scores: India 100 all out in 34.2 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 23; Megan Schutt 5/19) lost to Australia 102/5 in 16.2 overs (Georgia Voll 46*, Phoebe Litchfield 35; Renuka Singh Thakur 3/45, Priya Mishra 2/11) by 5 wickets POTM: Megan Schutt