After Ellyse Perry destroyed a faltering India attack in the sweltering heat at Allan Border Field, Georgia Voll slammed a first century to continue her incredible ascent in the international arena, bringing Australia one step closer to winning the ODI series.
After Australia chose to bat first, Perry added the final touches with 105 off 75 balls, since the host team had already won the series-opener by five wickets at the same location. They achieved their third-highest total in ODI cricket with a final score of 371 for 8.
After a thrilling WBBL, Voll, who has taken the place of injured skipper Alyssa Healy for the series, enthralled Australia and supported her undefeated 46 on debut with hammering 101 off 87 balls to highlight her great form.
Her aggressive hitting was evident as she struck 12 boundaries in all and formed a 130-run opening partnership with Phoebe Litchfield, a 21-year-old who scored 60 off 63 balls.
Perry turned back time with incredible power hitting, becoming the fourth woman’s player from her nation to reach 4000 ODI runs, while Australia’s emerging talents offered yet another look at the future.
India was powerless in the stifling heat of 35 degrees in Brisbane, and rookie offspinner Minnu Mani had a very difficult start, finishing with 2 for 71 from nine overs.
India’s sole change from the first ODI was Mani, who supported their faltering top order, which will have to fire as a unit if the tourists are to mount a spectacular chase.
Australia made one change from the first game: Sophie Molineux, who led the Melbourne Renegades to their first WBBL championship, replaced Georgia Wareham after recovering from knee pain.
Captain Tahlia McGrath resisted the urge to bowl first after Australia thrashed India for just 100 runs on Thursday. Their hitters had to come forward in potentially challenging early circumstances, as the game began at 9.45 a.m. local time.
Saima Thakor and Renuka Singh, India’s new ball bowlers who dominated Australia with three wickets in game one, sought to summon swing and achieve early breakthroughs before the day’s heat.
Before Voll took over with four boundaries in six balls to put Australia ahead, they bowled too full, allowing runs to flow when Litchfield hit a four on the second delivery.
On five, Litchfield did have some luck when he mishit Thakor to mid-on, but Priya Punia blew a chance by jumping forward.
It proved costly as skipper Harmanpreet Kaur unsuccessfully used the spin of Priya Mishra and Deepti Sharma during the powerplay.
Voll’s maturity is still evident as she was cautious not to overhit while using her feet brilliantly against the spinners. She completed her half-century in 43 balls, demonstrating her driving prowess as well.
With her mother grinning proudly as she calmly lifted her bat and helmet in the midst of the terraces’ cheers, Voll quickly flipped Mani to the legside to bring up her century.
After she edged behind a wide delivery from Thakur, Voll was unable to continue, but Perry, who had previously scored 7000 runs across formats in international cricket, took over with a faultless century from 72 balls.
Deepti ultimately bowled Perry, and her removal caused a late collapse. However, Australia broke the previous ground mark of 325 for a women’s ODI thanks to Beth Mooney’s spectacular 56 from 44 balls.
In a rare moment of happiness for India, she was ultimately out stumped by Mani, who took her first ODI wicket before adding Molineux.
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