The multi-format series between Australia Women and India Women, which also includes a pink-ball Test match, will get underway with three ODIs. The first of them will take place at the Harrup Park in Mackay, on 21 September.
Led by Meg Lanning, Australia are currently on a record-breaking 24-match winning streak in ODI cricket, and will look to extend it. It all began with a 3-0 sweep against India in 2018. Australia are clear favourites on paper before heading to this contest again, despite not having two of the leaders in their bowling unit – Megan Schutt and Jess Jonassen.
For India, Harmanpreet Kaur will miss the series opener after injuring her right thumb a few days ago. Kaur had smashed an unbeaten 115-ball 171 against Australia in one of the semi-final of the 2017 Women’s World Cup. It is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest innings in World Cup history.
Mithali Raj and the rest of the Indian middle-order batters struggled to get going in England two months ago. They did comparatively better when the India and Australia met in a practice match in Brisbane on 18 September. Yastika Bhatia impressed the most, striking seven fours in her 42-ball 41.
Indian bowlers need to step up against the fearsome Australian batting unit, featuring Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Lanning, Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry. They have a knack of scoring runs quickly, and if they manage to stay in the middle too long, that could create a lot of problems for India.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Appoint Deepti Sharma captain. She remained not out on 49 and was the only Indian bowler to go for under 4.50 an over in the practice match.
- Pick Healy ahead of Richa Ghosh among wicketkeepers.
- Lanning, Raj, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Haynes are highly dependent batters for their respective side.
- Do not ignore Jhulan Goswami and Poonam Yadav. If India stage a valiant bowling show, they will surely have roles to play.
Probable XIs
Australia Women: Meg Lanning(c), Alyssa Healy(wk), Rachael Haynes, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Nicola Carey, Annabel Sutherland, Stella Campbell, Georgia Wareham, Sophie Molineux.
India Women: Mithali Raj(c), Richa Ghosh (wk),Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Shikha Pandey, Jhulan Goswami, Poonam Yadav.
Prediction
A close contest. Perhaps an Indian Women win.
Blitzpools Fantasy XI
Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning (VC), Mithali Raj,Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Rachael Haynes, Deepti Sharma (C), Annabel Sutherland, Jhulan Goswami, Poonam Yadav, Sophie Molineux.
