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So, it's one-nil going into the second T20 which will be played at the same venue before the caravan moves to the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai for the last three games of the series. Needless to say, we'll be here to bring you all the action from the upcoming games. For now, it's time for us to sign off and tune into some football World Cup action. This is Pratyush, signing off on behalf of my partner, Pradeep. See ya!
Right then. Australia take charge and the early lead to set the tone for this series with a commanding win. The absence of senior players hasn't affected them one bit, by the looks of it, as they march on and continue to prove that they're a class apart from the rest. As for India, it's not all negative, of course. There were a few positives to take from this game, none more so than the intent they showed for most of their innings. As for the bowlers, sometimes they've just got to hold their hands up. The fielding efforts, though, will be something to take note of and work on.
Alyssa Healy (Australia captain): It (captaincy) wasn't that easy out in the field, especially when Deepti came at us in the end. (Thoughts at the halfway stage) I thought they were a little bit below par, to be honest. Statistically, 180-185 is a par total here, we had an idea about that. We knew if we got a decent start we could get back and do what India did to us at the backend. (Areas to improve) We can tidy up our death bowling and some little areas in the field. Ultimately, we played a really great game of cricket and hopefully, we can do it for the next game.
Surprise surprise. Beth Mooney is the Player of the Match. Here is what she has to say: I love putting the Australian shirt on. I've been fortunate enough to come up against India, who are an incredible opposition. It was a really nice wicket. Played a couple of nice strokes tonight and got into the groove. It was a beautiful wicket, a fast outfield, and a wonderful crowd tonight.
Harmanpreet Kaur (India captain): I thought it was enough, we were in the game till the 13th over, we weren't good with the ball and bad on the field as well. Night games are always like that, it's difficult to judged the ball and Radha is one of our best fielder and it happens, we have to take our chances if we have to win. The last few overs the ball was very wet, the bowlers tried their best, if we have to win we have to take those chances.
Tahlia McGrath: Nice to start off the series with a win, we haven't played games as a team after CWG, nice to come out as a team and India's a great place to travel and the crowd was brilliant. (On how they come out as a team to win games like that) Starts with the training, we work really hard and push hard each other in the nets, keep getting better, that sort of driving and stay ahead as pack and play some good cricket leading into the World Cup. India batters batted brilliantly, especially the backend, we thought there's value for shots on this surface, we were quite happy with total, we knew that we had to build good foundation and Mooney was outstanding today, set the tone for us. (On her not getting to bowl today) I'm good to go, everyone bowled today, I'm ready if the skipper needs me.
The century stand comes up between Mooney and McGrath to give Australia a comprehensive victory in the opening contest of this series. Having to chase a significant total of 173 wasn't expected to be as straightforward as this team made it look, but hey, that's just how they roll.
The opening partnership of Mooney and Healy got the visitors off to a steady start to set the platform before the captain was dismissed. At that stage in the ninth over, it felt like that might be the opening that might give India a chance but it was far from the case.
Mooney switched into a different gear like she so often does, carrying on her fine form from the WBBL. McGrath played the perfect second fiddle as the two notched up a hundred-run-partnership to take their side over the line and give them a one-nil lead in the series.
The Indian bowlers didn't have much to look back on in that innings. Mooney was dropped early on in her innings and was ticking along at a strike rate of 100 in her first 20 balls before she took the came away from the hosts. The bowlers looked mostly clueless once that happened, with the sloppy fielding not helping their cause either.
So, the Australian juggernaut moves on to kickstart this series with a win. That'll do alright for them before taking the field on Sunday again, for the second T20I at the same venue. Stick around for the presentations to hear what the captains have to say about this performance.
18.1 Deepti Sharma to Tahlia McGrath, AUSTRALIA HUMBLE INDIA AND GO 1-0 UP! Drops it short on the middle and leg, McGrath on the backfoot tucked it behind square and they push the fielder as they come back for the second to complete the annihilation, they demolished India here and plenty to ponder now for the hosts to pick themselves up from this drubbing.
Deepti Sharma [2.0-0-18-0] is back into the attack
That's the first time since the 12th over that Australia haven't scored runs in double digits. The finish line is in sight for the visitors as they inch closer to take a one-nil lead in the series.
18
overs
171/1score
1
1lb
0
1
1
1
runs
Beth Mooney
89(56)
Tahlia McGrath*
38(29)
Anjali Sarwani
0/27
17.6 Anjali Sarvani to Tahlia McGrath, pace off, back of a length on the wide of off-stump, McGrath reaches and bunts it to short third for another single.
17.5 Anjali Sarvani to Beth Mooney, slower one on the stumps, full and Mooney uses her feet to drill it down to long-off for another single.
17.4 Anjali Sarvani to Tahlia McGrath, back of a length on the seventh stump line, McGrath stretches and bunts it past the covers for another single.
17.3 Anjali Sarvani to Tahlia McGrath, walks long way across off-stump, Sarvani bowls it way outside the off-stump and takes the pace off as well, McGrath looks to heave but ends up dragging it to the square-leg fielder.
17.2 Anjali Sarvani to Beth Mooney, change of pace, full and dips that one on the leg-stump, Mooney leans to flick it but misses, pings on the pad and they pick up a leg-bye.
17.1 Anjali Sarvani to Tahlia McGrath, change of pace, back of a length on the wide of off-stump, McGrath waits and cuts it past the covers for one.
Anjali Sarvani [3.0-0-23-0] is back into the attack
Does anyone make batting look as easy as Beth Mooney does? Probably not. She's cruised along to 88*, singlehandedly taking her side close to the finish line. Another outing to forget for Meghna Singh. Only two overs for someone who is playing as a specialist bowler. That's not ideal.