Brisbane
Skipper Radha Yadav’s impressive bowling and Yastika Bhatia’s solid batting guided India ‘A’ to a three-wicket win over Australia ‘A’ in the first 50-over match at Ian Healy Oval on Wednesday.
Asked to bowl first, India ‘A’ bowled out Australia ‘A’ for 214 in 47.5 overs. Radha led with 3-45, while Minnu Mani and Titas Sadhu claimed two wickets each. Early strikes removed Tahlia Wilson and Alyssa Healy, and when Tahlia McGrath fell in the 12th over, Australia ‘A’ was in trouble. Rachel Trenaman (51) and Anika Learoyd added 63 for the fourth wicket before Rachel was run out. Anika remained unbeaten on 92 from 90 balls, hitting eight fours and a six.
Chasing 215, India ‘A’ got off to a strong start with Yastika and Shafali Verma adding 77 runs in just 10.4 overs. Shafali hit 36 off 31 balls, while Yastika scored 59 off 70 balls with seven boundaries before being bowled by Kim Garth.
A middle-order collapse brought some tension, but Raghvi Bist stayed calm, making an unbeaten 25 to secure the win with eight overs left. The victory was India ‘A’s first of the multi-format tour, breaking a string of earlier losses.
The second 50-over clash will be played at the same venue on Friday, where India ‘A’ will aim to build on this winning momentum.
