December 5, 2024: Megan Schutt’s brilliant bowling performance led Australia Women to a commanding five-wicket victory over India in the first ODI of the series at Allan Border Field in Brisbane on Thursday. Schutt delivered a career-best performance, claiming a maiden ODI five-wicket haul with impressive figures of 5/19, dismantling India’s top order and putting her side firmly in control of the match.
After Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and opted to bat, India’s batting lineup struggled to find any rhythm. Schutt’s exceptional new-ball spell, coupled with solid contributions from Kim Garth, Annabel Sutherland, Ash Gardner, and Alana King—who all took one wicket each—meant India were bowled out for just 100 runs in 34.2 overs. The visitors’ batting woes were compounded by poor shot selection and sloppy running between the wickets, with the highest partnership of the innings being just 27 runs between Jemimah Rodrigues (23) and Richa Ghosh.
India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur (17), and returning batter Harleen Doel (19) both failed to provide the much-needed stability, leaving Australia with an easy target to chase. Schutt’s spell, combined with the strong team bowling effort, left India reeling from the very start.
Australia’s chase started solidly with opening batters Phoebe Litchfield (35) and debutant Georgia Voll putting on a 48-run partnership, guiding their team towards the target. However, a dramatic turnaround came when India’s Renuka Singh claimed three quick wickets, reducing Australia to 52/3. Singh dismissed Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney in the ninth over, and Priya Mishra followed up by removing Sutherland (6) and Gardner (8), bringing some hope back to India.
Despite the pressure, Georgia Voll remained calm under the circumstances, scoring an unbeaten 46* and leading Australia to a comfortable victory in the 17th over, with five wickets in hand.
Australia’s victory puts them 1-0 up in the series, and the second ODI will take place on Sunday in Brisbane, where India will look to bounce back and level the series.
