The White-Ball Series Comes to a Close with Australia Women Facing India Women in the Third ODI
The last stop for the white-ball leg of the ongoing series has arrived, as Australia Women (AUS W) take on India Women (IND W) for the third ODI on Sunday, March 1 at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. The final match of the series is a dead rubber contest since the hosts have already made the series theirs after winning the first couple of matches. Australia Women started the series with a convincing win in the opening ODI and followed it up with a brilliant win in the second to seal the deal.
They thumped the Indians with six wickets and 13.5 overs to spare in the previous encounter to register an emphatic win, guided by Georgia Voll’s excellence with the bat for her maiden century. India Women, on the other hand, did not do enough in the 50-over leg despite their 2-1 series win in the shortest format. The inability to carry the form forward resulted in conceding the ODI series. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has said that she expects the batting unit to not throw away wickets and consolidate better going forward. It will be interesting to see how the Women in Blue play in the upcoming clash.
Bellerive Oval, Hobart: Pitch Report
The pitch in Bellerive Oval in Hobart is expected to dish out an excellent surface for batting for the third and final match of the series as well. A run-fest looks certainly on the cards, and the surface in Hobart is likely to assist the batters more than the bowlers. However, spinners can generate help out of the surface by delivering slower through the air, as the wicket offers a slightly better amount of turn.
Predicted Playing XIs
Australia Women: Alyssa Healy (captain), Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney (wicketkeeper), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Nicola Carey, Alana King, Megan Schutt, and Darcie Brown
India Women: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Kashvee Gautam, Kranti Goud, Vaishnavi Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, and NR Shree Charani
Probable Best Performers
Probable Best Batter: Alyssa Healy
Alyssa Healy will be stepping out in the Australian yellow jersey for one last time, and she would certainly be aiming to end her storied One-Day International career on a high. The wicketkeeper-batter, who will be opening for the Aussies, failed to get going in the previous match, but since everything is coming to a close, she will look to play with freedom and enjoy her time in the middle.
Probable Best Bowler: Deepti Sharma
India’s off-spin all-rounder Deepti Sharma has been a proven performer for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side over the years. In fact, it won’t be too wrong to say that Deepti has been the strike bowler for the side whenever they need a breakthrough. With her ability to keep the flow of runs in check and enforce pressure on the opposition, Deepti may be the best bowler during her ten-over spell on Sunday.
Today’s Match Prediction: Chasing team to win the match
As the series comes to a close with the third ODI between Australia Women and India Women, all eyes will be on how the Women in Blue bounce back after conceding the series. With an exciting pitch in Hobart and some potential standout performances, the stage is set for an engaging match to wrap up the white-ball leg of this series.
Key Highlights of the Series
Throughout the white-ball series between Australia Women and India Women, there have been several standout moments worth highlighting. Australia’s dominant performances have showcased their depth and talent, with players like Georgia Voll and Alyssa Healy shining in crucial moments. On the other hand, India Women have displayed glimpses of brilliance, especially in the T20 format where they managed to secure a hard-fought series win.
One key aspect that both teams will be looking to address in the upcoming ODI is their middle-order stability. While Australia’s top order has been formidable, there have been instances of collapses in the middle overs. India, on the other hand, will be keen on finding a balance between aggression and building partnerships to post competitive totals on the board.
Impact of Conditions on Players
With the pitch in Hobart favoring batsmen, the upcoming ODI is likely to be a high-scoring affair. This presents an opportunity for players from both teams to showcase their skills and make significant contributions. Batters will be looking to capitalize on the good batting conditions, while bowlers will need to adapt their strategies to contain the opposition.
Additionally, the pressure of a dead rubber contest can often bring out the best in players as they look to end the series on a high note. This added motivation could result in some standout performances from individuals on both sides, making the match even more exciting for fans and spectators.
Looking Ahead to the Test Series
As the white-ball series draws to a close, all eyes will soon shift to the upcoming Test match between Australia Women and India Women. The longer format of the game presents a different set of challenges and opportunities for both teams, requiring a shift in mindset and approach. Players will need to adapt to the demands of Test cricket, showcasing their endurance and tactical acumen over the course of four days.
For India Women, the Test match will be a chance to make a statement and bounce back after the white-ball series defeat. They will be looking to put their best foot forward and compete fiercely against the formidable Australian side. On the other hand, Australia Women will aim to carry their momentum from the white-ball series into the longer format, asserting their dominance and showcasing their skills across all aspects of the game.
Final Thoughts
As the third ODI between Australia Women and India Women approaches, there is a sense of anticipation and excitement surrounding the match. With both teams looking to make their mark and end the white-ball series on a high note, fans can expect a thrilling contest filled with moments of brilliance and competitive spirit.
Overall, the series has been a testament to the talent and skill of women’s cricket, showcasing the depth and quality of players from both Australia and India. As the teams gear up for the final showdown in the white-ball leg, the stage is set for an enthralling encounter that will leave a lasting impression on fans and players alike.
