IND VS AUS: Arundhati’s explosive performance, took four wickets… India bowled out Australia for 133 runs in the first Women’s T20 International.

Sydney: Thanks to the brilliant bowling of fast bowler Arundhati Reddy (four wickets for 22 runs), India bowled out host Australia for 133 runs in the first Women’s T20 International cricket match here on Sunday. Apart from Arundhati, Renuka Singh (two wickets for 14 runs) and Sri Charani (two wickets for 14 runs) also took two wickets each, due to which the Australian team collapsed in 18 overs. Australia made a fast start by scoring 22 runs in 2.2 overs but Beth Mooney (05) waved Renuka’s ball in the air and caught Smriti Mandhana in the covers.

Second opener Georgia Voll (18 runs in 10 balls) also got caught by wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh while trying to cut the ball going outside from Kranti Gaur (1 wicket in 39 runs). Elise Perry (20 runs in 11 balls) and Phoebe Litchfield (26 runs in 19 balls) took over the innings with a quick partnership of 41 runs for the third wicket. However, when this pair started becoming a threat to India, then captain Harmanpreet Kaur took a brilliant catch of Parry while running back and diving on the ball of Arundhati.

Deepti Sharma (1 wicket for 19 runs) sent Ashley Gardner (04) to the pavilion while Arundhati got Lichfield caught by Richa, taking host Australia’s score to 80 runs for five wickets at the beginning of the 10th over. Georgia Wareham (30 off 19 balls) and Nicola Carey (12) added 41 runs for the sixth wicket, taking Australia’s score beyond 100 runs. Arundhati broke the partnership by dismissing Georgia in the 14th over while Sri Charani ended Nicola’s innings in the next over. Arundhati ended Australia’s innings by bowling Darcy Brown (01). The host team lost its last five wickets for just 12 runs. Australia is ushering in a new era as Sophie Moliny takes charge of the team after becoming T20 captain in January.