Australian women's team hammer India A by massive 321 runs at BKC

Australia's Beth Moone en route her 115 at BKC yesterday. Pic/Prakash Parsekar

The Australian women's team registered a thumping 321-run win over India 'A' in the first warm-up match at the Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra-Kurla Complex ground yesterday.

Chasing 414, India 'A' were bundled out for a paltry 92 in 29.5 overs. Put into bat, Australia opener Nicole Bolton (58 off 38 balls) and middle-order batswoman Ellyse Perry (65 off 58) countered India's bowling quite comfortably. The visitors were aided by some poor fielding as the hosts dropped four catches. One-drop batswoman Beth Mooney was retired after a quickfire 83-ball 115, an innings that was laced with 18 fours.

But the best innings was by No. 8 batter Ashleigh Gardner, who played an exceptional 90-run knock off just 44 balls. She had nine hits over the fence and hit six boundaries to take Australia's total to 413-8 in 50 overs. For India 'A', medium pacer Sarika Koli claimed 3-67 in eight overs. In reply, the host batswomen were no match for Australia's disciplined bowling attack led by pacer Megan Schutt (3-24). Pacer Perry and leg-spinner Amanda Jade Wellington picked two wickets each as six India 'A' batters failed to cross double digits. Skipper Anuja Patil top scored with 16.

After wrapping up the match with over two hours left for the scheduled finish, Australia requested the ground staff to provide them the centre pitch to play a practice match among themselves.

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