Preview 

India Women and Australia Women are set to lock horns in the third game of the three-match ODI series on Sunday, September 26 at the Harrup Park in Mackay. Australia, captained by Meg Lanning, are on a 26-match winning streak in ODIs. The home team hasn’t lost an ODI since October 2017.

In their previous game, they won by five wickets, but not after they were put under immense pressure. Chasing 275, Australia lost four wickets with not many runs on the board. However, Beth Mooney, who replaced an injured Rachel Haynes in the playing eleven, hit her second ton in ODIs.

She got the apt support from Tahia McGrath and Nicola Carey in the run-chase. McGrath scored 74 runs and also picked up three wickets. Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh did well for India with the bat, but the bowlers couldn’t deliver. Jhulan Goswami was unable to defend 13 in the last over.

Match Details

Match – Australia Women vs India Women – 3rd ODI

Venue – Harrup Park, Mackay

Time – 05:35 AM IST, 10:05 AM Local

Where to watch live – Sony Sports Network

Pitch Report

The pitch in Mackay has been an excellent one for batting in the two ODIs thus far. But the chasing teams have found it a tad easier. Since the game will be played under natural lights, a lot of swing may not be on offer. Bowlers need to be on their money.

Avg first innings score: 250 (2 ODIs at Harrup Park)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 2, Lost – 0, Tied – 0

Playing combination for AUS-W vs IND-W

Australia Women

Predicted XI

Alyssa Healy (w), Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning (c), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham, Hannah Darlington, Darcie Brown

Bench: Molly Strano, Sophie Molineux, Stelle Campbell, Georgia Redmayne, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey

India Women

Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia/Jemimah Rodrigues, Mithali Raj (c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (w), Pooja Vastrakar, Jhulan Goswami, Meghna Singh/Shikha Pandey, Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad

Bench: Ekta Bisht, Pooja Vastrakar, Meghna Singh/Shikha Pandey, Punam Raut, Jemimah Rodrigues, Sneh Rana

AUS-W vs IND-W Head-to-Head

Overall

Played – 48 | Australia Women – 39 | India Women – 9 | N/R – 0 | Tied- 0

In Australia

Played – 15 | Australia Women – 12 | India Women – 3 | N/R – 0 | Tied- 0

Probable best batsman of the match

Beth Mooney– Australia Women

Beth Mooney wasn’t the first-choice opener for Australia in the second ODI. But the southpaw showed that she can be as good as Haynes if not better than her. Mooney stayed unbeaten on a 133-ball 125 with 12 fours. The left-handed batter also shared a crucial 126-run partnership with McGrath before her unbeaten 97-run stand with Carey.

Probable best bowler of the match

Sophie Molineux- Australia Women

Amidst the stupendous show by the Aussie batters, Sophie Molineux has silently done her job. The left-arm spinner has arguably been the standout bowler, not only for Australia, but in the entire series. In two matches, Molineux has picked up four wickets at an economy rate of 3.94. In fact, in the previous game, Lanning trusted her to bowl the final bowler in the Indian innings.

Today’s match prediction: Australia Women to win the match.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.