Australia women thrash India A by 321 runs in warm-up

Ashleigh Gardner (left) of Australia struck 90 against India A during their warm-up game in Mumbai (Image: Twitter)

Mumbai, March 6: The Australian women's team warmed up in style as they thrashed India A by 321 runs in the first of the two practice games held here on Tuesday (March 6).

Put into bat, the visitors posted a mammoth 413/8 in 50 overs, riding on a superb century by wicket-keeper Beth Mooney (115). They then bundled out the hosts for a paltry 92 in 29.5 overs at the Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra Kurla Complex facility.

In the first practice game held here, the Aussie batswomen made the Indian bowlers toil hard. It was Mooney who stole the limelight as she blazed to a quickfire 115 in just 83 balls before being retired out. The other batswomen too chipped in as the Aussies went past the 400-run-mark on a pitch which was friendly for batswomen.

Opener Nicole Bolton (58 off 38 balls), Ellyse Perry (65 off 58) and Ashleigh Gardner (90 off 44) all had good match practise as they used the conditions well and helped their side post a big total.

India bowlers were hit round the park. Kavita went for 54 runs in her seven overs, skipper Anuja Patil gave away 63 runs in 8 overs, while Tanushree Sarkar gave 57 in her seven overs. Asha S was hammered for 55 in her six overs, while Sarika Koli also gave 67 runs in her eight overs but picked up three wickets.

When it came to batting, the hosts surrendered to the opposition bowlers and did not put up any fight. Wickets fell at regular intervals. The India A batswomen made a beeline to the pavilion - Priya Punia (13), Sarika Koli (11), Neha Tanwar (2), Tanushree Sarkar (4), Anuja Patil (16), Nishu Choudhary (5), wicket-keeper Nuzhat Parween (0) and Kavita (14) - all of them failed as the team suffered a huge defeat.

For Australia women, Perry (2/14), Megan Schutt (3/24) and Amanda Jade Wellington (2/11) were the pick of the bowlers.

While the visitors would be happy with their performance, the hosts would be hoping to make a strong comeback in the second warm up game at the same venue on Thursday.

The Australian women will play India in a three-match One Day International series, starting from March 12 at Vadodara, and later in a T20 tri-series along with England.

Brief scores:

Australia Women 413/8 in 50 overs (Beth Mooney 115, Ashleigh Gardner 90; Sarika Koli 3/67) bt India A 92 in 29.5 overs (Anuja Patil 16, Kavita 14; Megan Schutt 3/24) by 321 runs.