Australia’s women’s cricket team started their ODI series against India on a strong note in Mullanpur on Sunday, September 14, with a convincing eight-wicket win. While the victory gave the team an early advantage in the three-match contest, all eyes were also on star all-rounder Ellyse Perry, who retired hurt during her innings.
Skipper Alyssa Healy addressed concerns after the match, saying Ellyse Perry’s exit was not a major setback. She explained that the senior player was simply dealing with cramps and was taken off as a precaution. With the World Cup opener against New Zealand just two weeks away, Alyssa Healy brushed aside fears, adding with a smile that Ellyse Perry’s age was beginning to show.
Despite Ellyse Perry’s absence, Australia’s batting unit proved unstoppable. Young opener Phoebe Litchfield rose to the occasion with a commanding 88 from 80 deliveries, playing a fearless innings filled with boundaries and confident stroke play. Though she was given two chances by India’s sloppy fielding, Phoebe Litchfield made full use of them, laying the foundation for the run chase.
Beth Mooney, steady as ever, anchored the innings with an unbeaten 77, while Annabel Sutherland chipped in with a brisk 54 not out. Together, Beth Mooney and Annabel Sutherland stitched a 116-run partnership that sealed the game for Australia with more than five overs to spare.
India, for their part, had set a challenging target of 282, relying on their spinners to defend it. Their batting effort was competitive but missed catches and fielding lapses let the pressure slip away. Deepti Sharma, for instance, dropped Beth Mooney when she was on 56, a mistake that proved costly as the Australian batter carried her team home as the winner.
The game highlighted Australia’s depth and resilience. Even when one of their most experienced players walked off the field, the younger generation stepped up with remarkable ease. For India, it was a reminder that against a side as ruthless as Australia, every chance matters.
With this win, Australia now leads the series 1-0, sending a strong message ahead of the World Cup, while Ellyse Perry’s brief scare appears to be nothing more than a minor hiccup.
