Brisbane, Aug 13 (IANS) — Skipper Radha Yadav’s 3-45 with the ball and a fluent 59 from opener Yastika Bhatia powered India ‘A’ to a three-wicket victory over Australia ‘A’ in the first 50-over match at the Ian Healy Oval on Wednesday.
Asked to bowl first, India ‘A’ produced a disciplined effort to dismiss the hosts for 214 in 47.5 overs. Alongside Radha’s three-wicket haul, Minnu Mani and Titas Sadhu chipped in with two wickets each.
In reply, Yastika and Shafali Verma (36 off 31) gave India ‘A’ a flying start, adding 77 runs in just 10.4 overs. Despite a middle-order wobble, Raghvi Bist held her composure with an unbeaten 25 to see the visitors home with eight overs to spare.
For Australia ‘A’, early wickets dented their progress, with Tahlia Wilson and Alyssa Healy falling inside the first 10 overs. Tahlia McGrath’s dismissal soon after left them in deeper trouble. A 63-run stand between Rachel Trenaman (51) and Anika Learoyd steadied the innings before Trenaman was run-out by Dhara Gujjar. Learoyd stood firm with an impressive unbeaten 92 off 90 balls, featuring eight fours and a six, but lacked support to push the total further.
The win marked India ‘A’s first success of the multi-format tour. The second 50-over match will be played at the same venue on Friday.
Brief Scores:
Australia ‘A’ 214 in 47.5 overs (Anika Learoyd 92*, Rachel Trenaman 51; Radha Yadav 3-45, Titas Sadhu 2-37)
India ‘A’ 215/7 in 42 overs (Yastika Bhatia 59, Shafali Verma 36; Lucy Hamilton 2-36, Ella Hayward 2-46)
Result: India ‘A’ won by 3 wickets
