HOBART: Georgia Voll struck a magnificent 101 to power Australia to a commanding five-wicket victory over India in the second ODI at the Bellerive Oval on Friday. The result also meant Australia secured the ODI series and took a 6-4 lead in the multi-format series.
India's total of 251/9, built on composed half-centuries by Pratika Rawal and Harmanpreet Kaur, always appeared a few runs short of what would be required to truly test Australia on a surface and outfield that offered little assistance to the bowlers, and that’s exactly what happened.
Chasing 252, Australia lost captain Alyssa Healy to Kashvee Gautam in the third over. But that proved to be the only early alarm in an otherwise clinical and dominant run chase that was wrapped up with a staggering 83 balls to spare. Georgia’s 101 came off 83 balls and was laced with 13 fours and a six.
She also shared a commanding 119-run partnership for the second wicket with Phoebe Litchfield, who hit a 62-ball 80 studded with 11 fours and a six. It was something that shifted the momentum decisively in Australia's favour, as India lacked penetration with the ball and imagination in field settings. Australia did lose a few wickets towards the end of the chase, but managed to get over the line.