In a high-octane clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, Australia delivered a dominant performance in the third Women’s One Day International (WODI) against India. Led by skipper Alyssa Healy, the visitors batted first and posted a mammoth total of 412 runs — equalling their highest ever WODI score and marking only the second instance they’ve crossed the 400-run mark in the format.
Beth Mooney Slams Joint Second-Fastest WODI Century for Australia
Left-hander Beth Mooney was the standout performer, smashing a sensational 138 off just 75 balls, including 23 fours. Mooney’s innings went down as the joint second-fastest century in Australian WODI history, matching Karen Rolton’s 57-ball ton against South Africa from the 2001/02 season.
When Mooney walked in, Australia were already cruising at 150/2 in 21.1 overs, thanks to explosive starts from opener Georgia Voll and captain Alyssa Healy. Voll showed her intent early on with a powerful 81 off 68 balls, while Healy contributed a quick 30 off just 18 deliveries, setting the tone for the innings.
Mooney took things up a notch by not only finding gaps with precision but also expertly manipulating the Indian bowlers’ lengths. Her footwork allowed her to stay balanced and aggressive, punishing any loose deliveries with ease. The Indian bowling attack, already struggling, had no answers once she got going.
Indian Fielding Adds to the Woes
If India’s bowling was underwhelming, the fielding performance only added to the misery. Several dropped catches and sloppy ground fielding allowed the Australian batters to capitalize fully on every opportunity. These mistakes proved costly as Australia raced past the 400-run mark, finishing their innings at 412, sending a strong message after their previous loss in the second WODI.
This 400-plus score equalled their previous best in WODI cricket and further solidified Australia’s reputation as a powerhouse in women’s cricket. As the Indian team headed back to the dressing room, they were left facing an uphill task — not just chasing a record total, but also regrouping after a forgettable performance in the field.
India now hopes to show some fightback in the chase and avoid a complete whitewash in what has been a challenging series for them. Whether they can bounce back from this onslaught remains to be seen.
