The second ODI between Australia Women and India Women is set to be a high-stakes encounter at Allan Border Field, Brisbane, on Sunday, December 8. With Australia leading the series 1-0 after a dominant performance in the opening match, India will aim to bounce back and level the series. Both teams will look to refine their strategies and assess their strengths ahead of crucial international fixtures.
Australia Women: Recent Form and Momentum
Australia’s women’s team is riding high on a five-match winning streak in ODIs, underlining their dominance in the format. A 2-1 series win over South Africa earlier this year, followed by a 3-0 sweep against Bangladesh, has reaffirmed their position as one of the strongest teams in women’s cricket.
In the first ODI, Australia displayed their trademark dominance with Megan Schutt’s career-best 5-19, complemented by debutant Georgia Voll, who played a crucial role in the chase. Their ability to adapt to conditions and deliver under pressure has made them a formidable opponent.
India Women: Seeking Redemption
The Indian team entered the series on the back of consecutive ODI series wins against South Africa and New Zealand. However, the first ODI exposed vulnerabilities in their batting lineup, as they crumbled to a mere 100 all out in 34.2 overs. Despite a valiant effort by Renuka Singh Thakur, who picked up three wickets, the Indian team struggled to match Australia’s clinical execution.
This second ODI provides an opportunity for India to regroup and work on their batting against a disciplined Australian attack. A strong performance from senior players like Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma will be critical for India to level the series.
Allan Border Field Pitch Report
The pitch at Allan Border Field offers assistance to fast bowlers, particularly with the new ball, making early breakthroughs vital. The average first innings score in the last four women’s ODIs at this venue is 117 runs, highlighting its challenging nature for batters. As the game progresses, conditions tend to favor batters more, making it crucial for teams to adjust their approach during middle overs.
- Bowler-friendly start: Swing and seam are expected early on.
- Improved batting conditions: The pitch is likely to settle as the game progresses, providing opportunities for big partnerships.
- Chasing advantage: Teams batting second have historically performed better, making the toss an important factor.
Key Players to Watch in AU-W vs IN-W 2nd ODI
Australia Women
- Phoebe Litchfield: Consistent and reliable, Litchfield’s ability to stabilize the innings is invaluable. She has scored 343 runs in her last 10 innings, including a match-winning 35 in the first ODI.
- Megan Schutt: Her remarkable 5-19 in the first ODI highlighted her effectiveness with the new ball. Expect her to exploit the swing-friendly conditions again.
- Ashleigh Gardner: A genuine match-winner, Gardner’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes her an indispensable player for Australia.
- Alana King: With 15 wickets in her last 9 ODIs, King’s leg-spin offers control and wicket-taking ability, particularly in middle overs.
India Women
- Smriti Mandhana: India’s batting cornerstone, Mandhana has a stellar career average of 44.55, with 519 runs in her last 9 matches. Her performance at the top will be crucial to India’s success.
- Deepti Sharma: A dependable all-rounder, Deepti’s ability to anchor the innings and chip in with key wickets makes her vital to India’s plans.
- Renuka Singh Thakur: A standout performer in the first ODI, Renuka’s new-ball exploits will be essential in keeping Australia’s top order in check.
- Jemimah Rodrigues: The top scorer for India in the first ODI, Rodrigues has shown promise and will aim to convert starts into big scores.
Likely Playing XIs
Australia Women:
- Phoebe Litchfield
- Georgia Voll
- Meg Lanning (C)
- Beth Mooney (WK)
- Tahlia McGrath
- Ashleigh Gardner
- Jess Jonassen
- Megan Schutt
- Alana King
- Darcie Brown
- Kim Garth
India Women:
- Smriti Mandhana
- Shafali Verma
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Harmanpreet Kaur (C)
- Deepti Sharma
- Richa Ghosh (WK)
- Devika Vaidya
- Renuka Singh Thakur
- Meghna Singh
- Rajeshwari Gayakwad
- Pooja Vastrakar
Today’s Match Prediction: AU-W vs IN-W 2nd ODI
Australia enters the match as clear favorites, given their recent form and depth in both batting and bowling. However, India has the potential to turn things around if their top-order batters can deliver under pressure.
- Predicted First Innings Score: 200-220 runs.
- Chasing Advantage: Teams batting second have historically been successful at Allan Border Field, making the toss a key factor.
Final Verdict
- Likely Winner: Australia Women (based on recent form and home advantage).
- Top Performers:
- Australia: Megan Schutt, Phoebe Litchfield, Ashleigh Gardner.
- India: Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur.
This match promises an exciting contest as India aims to level the series, while Australia looks to extend their winning streak.
For more detailed match predictions and insights, visit cricinfo.cc and stay updated with the latest analysis, stats, and expert opinions.