India vs Australia women's T20 WC warm-up: Harmanpreet-less batting order collapses

Indian batting-order collapsed like a pack of cards as India suffered a big 44-run defeat against Australia in a low-scoring Women's T20 World Cup warm-up match in Cape Town on Monday.

Indian bowlers, however, were impactful on the day as they ran over the Australian top-order before tailenders Georgia Wareham (32) and Jess Jonassen (22) took Australia to a fighting 129/8 in 20 overs.

In response, India women's batting order were all out for 85 in just 15 overs as the Women in Blue batting disappointed in second game on the trot. They had suffered a similar collapse in the Tri-Series final last week against South Africa.

Pacer Darcie Brown (4/17) was the wrecker-in-chief as she cleaned up the Indian top order, taking the vital scalps of Shafali Verma (2), Smriti Mandhana (0) and Richa Ghosh (5).

With inputs from PTI

The woeful run of Jemimah Rodrigues, who opened the innings alongside Shafali, continued as she was out on nought while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur did not bat.

Harleen Doel (12) showed some intent, hitting two fours before succumbing to a run out while Deepti Sharma was the top scorer as the all-rounder remained unbeaten on 19. She could have taken India over the line had someone stayed with her till the end.

Earlier, veteran pacer Shikha Pandey (2/9) struck in her first two overs to send Australia skipper Meg Lanning (0) and Tahlia McGrath (2) packing.

A run out by Radha Yadav spelt the end of Ellyse Perry (1) as Australia were reeling at 10 for 3.

Ash Gardner (22) and Beth Mooney (28) provided some resistance but Pooja Vastrakar (2/16) and Radha Yadav (2/22) ran through the middle order.

Renuka Singh, who had an off day, was the most expensive bowler for India, giving away 39 runs in three overs.

But the Indians couldn't break the partnership between Wareham and Jonassen who shared five fours and three sixes between them.