New Delhi, Sep 20 (NationPress) The series finale between India and Australia certainly delivered, accumulating an astonishing 748 runs - the highest combined total in a women’s ODI - with 99 fours and 12 sixes at the Arun Jaitley Stadium this Saturday.

Both teams showcased remarkable batting performances: Beth Mooney cracked a century off just 57 deliveries as Australia set a target of 412, while Smriti Mandhana outpaced her, reaching her hundred in an impressive 50 balls - a record for the fastest century by an Indian woman in ODIs.

Despite Smriti's explosive 125 and valuable contributions from Deepti Sharma (72) and Harmanpreet Kaur (52), India fell short by 43 runs, allowing Australia to clinch the series 2-1.

India displayed commendable resilience in their chase, spearheaded by Smriti’s unforgettable innings, decorated with 17 fours and five sixes. However, frequent wickets turned the tide, with Australia maintaining composure to dismiss India for 369 in 47 overs.

Although India didn’t secure victory, they surpassed 300 runs for the first time while batting second and became the inaugural team to achieve a 300-plus total against Australia in women's ODIs.

Smriti commenced her innings by elegantly driving Kim Garth for a four, followed by a flurry of boundaries against Megan Schutt. After Pratika Rawal fell for 10, edging to gully off Kim, Smriti continued her assault with a six and a four against Ashleigh Gardner.

Her performance included two more fours and a six off Kim, followed by two boundaries from Ashleigh, culminating in her sensational fifty in just 23 balls, a record for the fastest by an Indian in this format.

Her efforts garnered enthusiastic applause from the large crowd, who chanted her name. Despite Harleen Deol’s dismissal for 11, Smriti was given a lifeline when Grace Harris dropped a catch at mid-off. India concluded the first powerplay at 96/2 - their best-ever score in this phase in ODIs.

With Australia struggling with lengths and misfielding, Smriti and Harmanpreet struck exquisite boundaries. Smriti achieved her century in style - getting down on one knee and slog-sweeping Alana King over deep midwicket for six, prompting an eruption of cheers as she raised her bat and helmet.

Just two overs later, Harmanpreet cut Grace Harris through backward point for four to reach her fifty in 32 balls, as India threatened to achieve the improbable. However, a knee issue interrupted her momentum, and the 121-run partnership ended when she was trapped lbw by Kim.

A hush fell over the crowd when Smriti top-edged a pull and was caught at deep backward square leg off a loopy full toss from Grace. Despite some aggressive batting from Deepti and Richa Ghosh, Australia made a comeback as Richa, Radha Yadav, and Arundhati Reddy fell quickly.

Deepti remained steady, scoring leg-side boundaries to notch her 15th ODI fifty in 42 balls. She found support from Sneh Rana, who contributed with boundaries and singles. However, the 65-run partnership concluded when Deepti holed out to deep mid-wicket off Tahlia McGrath, followed by Sneh being stumped off Megan and Renuka holing out to long-on off Kim.

Earlier, Beth Mooney delivered a career-best 138 off 75 balls, propelling Australia to their joint-highest score in women’s ODIs. Under sweltering conditions, Australia capitalized on a flat pitch, short boundaries, and a lackluster Indian fielding and bowling performance.

This match marked the seventh instance of a women's team surpassing 400 in ODIs, with India’s missteps - three dropped catches and various misfields - being significantly detrimental. Alyssa Healy set the stage with a brisk 30, including seven boundaries, before falling to Kranti Goud for the third time in the series.

Georgia Voll (81) and Ellyse Perry (68) then dominated, blending finesse with powerful hitting. Georgia was granted three chances and made the most of them to achieve her maiden ODI fifty against India, adorned with 14 boundaries, while Ellyse struck seven fours and two sixes during her innings.

Beth’s entrance ensured the momentum never waned. She skillfully found gaps, used the crease adeptly, and formed two significant partnerships - 106 off 72 balls with Ellyse and 82 off 46 with Ashleigh Gardner (39).

Beth toyed with the Indian bowling attack, hitting 23 fours and a six in her fourth ODI century, as Australia posted the highest total in women’s ODIs against India. For India, it was a challenging day - their bowling lacked strategic depth and fielding was careless.

While India managed to take all ten Australian wickets, most breakthroughs came after the top five had inflicted substantial damage. Choosing to bat first, Alyssa and Georgia were aggressive from the outset - clipping, driving, and flat-batting against Kranti and Renuka Singh Thakur.

After pulling Kranti for four, India’s deep square leg strategy paid off when Alyssa hit straight to mid-on off the young pacer. Ellyse began with a pull to the rope, while Georgia followed with a deft late cut for four and was granted a reprieve when Richa Ghosh dropped a diving catch.

Misfields continued to allow boundaries for Georgia and Ellyse, as Australia concluded the powerplay at 77/1 - their highest in this phase since 2019. India’s struggles to seize close chances persisted, with Georgia being given another life on 36 when Radha failed to hold on off Sneh’s bowling.

Georgia then punished Arundhati’s overpitched deliveries for boundaries and brought up her fifty off 43 balls. India’s varying lengths enabled Georgia and Ellyse to keep the score ticking with crisp backfoot play, especially pulls and late cuts, allowing the duo to carve boundaries with ease.

After Ellyse lofted Sneh for six over long-on, India broke the 107-run partnership when Georgia top-edged a sweep to short fine leg off Sneh. Beth then partnered with Ellyse and maintained a high tempo - hitting Deepti for two boundaries, swinging a Radha full toss for four, and scooping plus dabbing Renuka for two more fours.

Ellyse reached her fifty in 55 balls by slicing Radha for four, while Beth’s came off just 31 balls. The duo added six more boundaries before Ellyse holed out to Kranti, who took a brilliant diving catch at long-on off Arundhati.

Beth dominated, capitalizing on poor lengths to reach her century in 57 balls with a pulled four off a no-ball. After Ashleigh fell to Renuka, Beth added five more boundaries before India triggered a late collapse - she, Tahlia McGrath, and Grace Harris fell in rapid succession in the 45th over.

Late boundaries from Alana King and Georgia Wareham propelled Australia past 400, and the visitors kept their composure in the face of a fierce Smriti to secure the series and gain a timely boost ahead of their Women’s ODI World Cup title defense.

Brief scores:

Australia 412 all out in 47.5 overs (Beth Mooney 138, Georgia Voll 81; Arundhati Reddy 3-86, Deepti Sharma 2-75) defeated India 369 all out in 47 overs (Smriti Mandhana 125, Deepti Sharma 72; Kim Garth 3-69, Megan Schutt 2-53) by 43 runs.