Georgia Voll ton helps Australia seal ODI series

Phoebe Litchfield scored a blistering 80 and Georgia Voll scored her second century in an ODI to propel Australia to a commanding victory over India at Bellerive Oval. Australia won the ODI leg 2-0, extending their lead in the multi-format series to 6-4. India suffered a significant defeat as Australia chased down their total of 251 for 9 with more than 13 overs remaining. After their thrilling 2-1 victory in the T20Is, it was a familiar tale for India of a promising start squandered by careless batting in the middle overs, a pattern that has haunted them throughout the ODI leg. Harmanpreet Kaur was fit enough to win the toss for the fifth time, but India couldn't take advantage of the advantage. Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal provided India with a solid foundation by scoring 78 runs for the first wicket on a relatively smooth surface. However, India never fully recovered from Mandhana's dismissal, which was clean bowled by nemesis Ashleigh Gardner after she moved across her stumps. Between the 17th and 31st overs, India went 5 for 52, and Jemimah Rodrigues, who had been promoted to No. 3, was run out for 11 by Annabel Sutherland. After a miscommunication with Harmanpreet that left Rawal stranded mid-pitch, he was dismissed, effectively ending India's hopes of posting a match-winning total, even though he looked confident when he hit 52 from 81 balls. To her credit, the Indian captain marshalled the lower order effectively, her 54 from 70 balls helping India limp to 251. However, it was always likely to be insufficient against this batting lineup and this surface. Phoebe Litchfield extinguished India's chance of maintaining their total almost immediately. From the first ball, the opener had sensational touch, repeatedly clearing the infield and attacking the new ball with freedom that confused India's bowlers. She used the reverse sweep and danced down to bludgeon debutant left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma through the offside at will, scoring fifty off just 42 balls as she smashed 41 of Australia's first 60 runs in the Powerplay, including three boundaries off Kranti Gaud. The only negative aspect of a superb performance was her 80-run dismissal, which was cleaned up by Gaud after he failed to execute a scoop that had worked flawlessly throughout the innings. However, the game was effectively over by that time. Voll, who had endured a golden duck in the series opener and arrived under pressure having effectively replaced the injured Ellyse Perry, announced herself emphatically. She let India down on 19 and 53, both chances lost due to poor fielding, and India paid the full price. When wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh fumbled down the leg side on 99, the only drama was whether she would reach three figures. She came very close to being denied. After scoring a well-deserved century off 80 balls, Voll fell shortly after, but the match was already over.