Visakhapatnam: Smriti Mandhana shattered two major world records on her way to a blistering 80, powering India to their highest-ever Women’s World Cup total of 330 against Australia. However a stunning maiden five-wicket haul from pacer Annabel Sutherland triggered a dramatic late-innings collapse restricting India from a potential 350+ score and keeping Australian hopes alive in a match that now requires a record-breaking run chase.
A Tale of Two Halves
Put in to bat in front of a packed Vizag crowd India’s innings was a story of two distinct halves. For the first 30 overs, they were unstoppable. Mandhana and fellow opener Pratika Rawal (75) laid a spectacular foundation with a record 155-run partnership, the highest for any team against Australia in World Cups. During her onslaught Mandhana first became the first woman to score 1000+ ODI runs in a calendar year and shortly after, became the fastest woman to reach 5000 ODI runs. At 192 for 1 after 30 overs, India looked destined for an astronomical total.
Sutherland Sparks Australian Fightback
The momentum shifted dramatically after Mandhana holed out in the deep. While Harleen Deol (38), Richa Ghosh (32), and Jemimah Rodrigues (33) made valuable contributions, wickets began to fall at regular intervals. The Australian fightback was led by Annabel Sutherland who was exceptional with her changes of pace and length.
Sutherland tore through the Indian middle and lower order, claiming crucial wickets of well-set batters like Rawal and the dangerous Richa Ghosh. She finished with figures of 5 for 40 her first-ever five-wicket haul in ODIs single-handedly pulling the game back for her side as India lost their last four wickets for just 20 runs.
A Record Chase Awaits
While India will be proud of their record total there will be a tinge of disappointment after failing to fully capitalize on their explosive start. For Australia the task is monumental: they must now achieve the highest successful run chase in the history of women’s ODI cricket to win the match and top the points table.
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