The Hindu : Sport : Inspired India shocks Australia

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 15, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport

Inspired India shocks Australia

Openers Anagha and Anjum set the base for victory

Sydney: An inspired India stunned World champion Australia by 16 runs to kick-off its Super Six campaign in style in the ICC women’s World Cup cricket tournament, here on Saturday.

Australian skipper Karen Rolton’s decision to field first backfired as Indian openers Anagha Despandhe (45) and Anjum Chopra (76) gave a steady start to the visitor’s innings. A late onslaught by Amita Sharma (31) and Harmanpreet Kaur helped the Indians accumulate 73 runs in the last seven overs and take the total to a respectable 234 for five in the alloted 50 overs.

Although Australia started its run-chase on a confident note, the Jhulan Goswami-led Indian attack restricted the host to 218 for seven in its 50 overs. For the Aussies, this was their second defeat in the tournament.

The result leaves Australia on two points with a couple of Super Six matches still left and it must ensure victories in all the remaining matches besides hoping that other teams falter.

Useful stand

The Indian batters, who had been out of touch so far in the tournament, struck form on Saturday with Anagha and Anjum putting on 69 runs for the opening wicket. India-born Aussie Lisa Sthalekar ended the partnership, picking up Anagha, who was caught by Lauren Ebsary in the 21st over.

India lost its second wicket soon after, that of Thirush Kamini (two) in the 28th over. The in-form Mithali Raj (44) walked in and combined with Anjum to add 56 runs for the third-wicket and lay the foundation for the onslaught.

The Indian innings accelerated after the dismissal of Anjum and Mithali with Amita scoring three boundaries in a 31-run cameo which came off 22 balls. Sthalekar was the pick of the Aussie bowlers, picking up three wickets for 52 runs.

Poor start

Australia, however, was done in by a poor start and was in severe trouble after losing its top three batters by the 15th over. Shelley Nitschke was the first to go after being bowled by a superb Jhulan delivery that clipped the top of her off stump and Australia’s misery was compounded further after Rolton and Sthalekar departed.

The host was tottering at 53 for three when Sthalekar was caught behind off Gouher Sultana. Alex Blackwell (54) made a desperate effort to keep Australia in the hunt, but her efforts went in vain as the required run-rate kept soaring and ultimately proved too much. For India, Reena Malhotra and Sultana scalped two wickets each, giving away 32 and 33 runs respectively, while Jhulan, Rumeli Dhar and Amita picked up one wicket apiece.

The scores:

India: Anagha c Ebsary b Sthalekar 45; Anjum c Nitschke b Farrell 76; T. Kamini c Sthalekar b Nitschke 2; Mithali c Fields b Sthalekar 44; Amita (not out) 31; Jhulan c Nitschke b Sthalekar 5; Harmanpreet (not out) 19; Extras (w-12): 12; Total (for five wkts. in 50 overs): 234.

Fall of wickets: 1-69, 2-99, 3-155, 4-181, 5-201.

Australia bowling: Sampson 8-2-46-0, Farrell 10-3-30-1, Perry 9-0-56-0, Kimmince 7-0-31-0, Sthalekar 10-0-52-3, Nitschke 6-1-19-1.

Australia: S. Nitschke b Jhulan 17; A. Blackwell c Mithali b Reena 54; K. Rolton st. Anagha b Sultana 8; L. Sthalekar c Anagha b Amita 0; J. Fields c Harmanpreet b Reema 43; J. Cameron c Roy b Rumeli 25; E. Perry b Sultana 0; L Ebsary (not out) 39; R. Farrell (not out) 20; Extras (lb-4, w-8): 12; Total (for seven wkts. in 50 overs): 218.

Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-50, 3-53, 4-121, 5-139, 6-140, 7-170.

India bowling: Jhulan 10-4-34-1, Rumeli 10-0-41-1, Sultana 10-2-33-2, Amita 10-0-57-1, Roy 4-0-17-0, Reena 6-0-32-2. — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport