• Source:JND
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IND-W vs AUS-W: Crucial half-centuries from Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield steered Australia Women to a convincing 8-wicket win over India Women in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Sunday.

A 114-run unbeaten stand by Beth Mooney and Annabel Sutherland helps Australia go 1-0 up in New Chandigarh. 

Litchfield (88 off 80 balls) was dropped twice while Mooney (77 not out off 74) and Ellyse Perry (30 retired hurt) received a lifeline each, as the Australians took a 1-0 lead in the three-match affair, which precedes the upcoming ODI World Cup.

Batting first, India posted a competitive 281 for seven but Australia rode on Litchfield's 80-ball 88 and Mooney's undefeated 74-ball 77 to chase down the total in 44.1 overs on a day when the Indians left a lot to be desired with their ground fielding and catching.

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Annabel Sutherland slammed with an unbeaten 54 in 51 balls, always keeping Australia in the game.

Litchfield made the most of three lifelines to make 88 runs with 14 fours, which were laced with breathtaking shots across the ground as she set the solid platform for the visitors' successful run chase.

However, Litchfield had the Indians to thank for that since she received a lifeline as early as the second over when Jemimah Rodrigues dropped a sitter at midwicket off Sneh Rana when the Australian was yet to open her account.

In the 19th over, Litchfield got another lifeline on 56 when India captain Harmanpreet Kaur dropped another easy chance at cover off Radha Yadav.

Ellyse Perry's departure brought Beth Mooney to the crease while Litchfield's removal had no impact on Australia's surge as they won the game comfortably.

Earlier, India were well-served by fifties from Pratika Rawal (64 off 96 balls), Smriti Mandhana (58 off 63), and Harleen Deol (54 off 57) after skipper Harmanpreet Kaur opted to bat in her 150th match in this format.

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India were off to a great start after the opening duo of Rawal and vice-captain Mandhana added 114 in just under 22 overs.

Effective cameos by the lower-order batters helped India go past 280.