World champions Australia beat India by nine runs in a thriller to win the gold medal in the women’s cricket event at the Commonwealth Games on Sunday. Batting first, Australia scored 161/8 in 20 overs with Beth Mooney scoring 61 off 41 balls. In reply, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur smashed 65 off 43 balls but India’s lower-order caved in meekly to get all out for 152 in 19.3 overs.
The Southern Stars took the last five wickets for 13 runs. India had a nightmarish start during their chase, losing openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Varma inside the first three overs. But Harmanpreet and Jemimah Rodrigues (33) staged a valiant fightback, sharing a 96-run partnership for the third wicket.
However, though India looked well on course, they lost three wickets, including those of Harmanpreet and Jemimah, from 14.3 overs to 15.5 overs. Thereafter, they never recovered and went on to lose the game. India needed 11 runs from the last over with two wickets at their disposal. But they failed to play the full quota of overs, lasting only three balls of the 20th over.
Covid controversy
In a dramatic development, Australia all-rounder Tahlia McGrath was named in the playing XI despite testing positive for Covid-19. The toss was delayed slightly as the Indian cricket team found about Mcgrath’s health status just before the flip of the coin. “Cricket Australia (CA) can confirm that cricketer Tahlia McGrath has returned a positive test for Covid-19.
CGA clinical staff have consulted with the Commonwealth Games Federation RACEG (Results Analysis Clinical Expert Group)team and match officials, and McGrath is taking part in today’s final against India. “McGrath presented to team management with mild symptoms on Sunday and subsequently returned the positive test... the International Cricket Council (ICC) approved her participation in the final,” said Cricket Australia in a statement.
Brief scores: Australia Women 161/8 in 20 ovs (Beth Mooney 61; Renuka Singh 2/25, Sneh Rana 2/38). India Women 152 in 19.3 ovs (Harmanpreet Kaur 65; Ashleigh Gardner 3/16). Australia won by 9 runs.
