Megan Schutt’s Five-Wicket Haul Powers Australia to ODI Victory Over India
Megan Schutt shone with the ball, taking 5/19. It was her best-ever bowling performance. Her effort helped Australia beat India by five wickets in the first ODI of a three-match series. Played at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field on December 5, Australia won 1-0. They asserted their dominance in their home conditions.
India’s Struggles with the Bat
India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, won the toss and chose to bat. But, the decision backfired as Australia’s bowlers applied relentless pressure. The team crumbled under it. During the powerplay, Schutt dismissed the Indian openers, Mandhana and Punia, for low scores. This left India at 18/2 early in the innings.
The middle order failed to stabilize the innings. Harleen Deol (19), Harmanpreet (17), and Jemimah Rodrigues (23) got starts. But, they couldn’t turn them into big scores. Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh struggled to find her rhythm. She scored just 14 runs off 35 balls.
India’s innings came to a dismal end at 100 all out in just 34.2 overs. The team’s inability to rotate strike and find boundaries was a major factor in their downfall. Schutt led the Australian bowlers. Her tight line and length helped her take five wickets in just 6.2 overs. Her remarkable spell earned her the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
Australia’s Aggressive Chase
Chasing a target of 101, Australia started well. Their young openers, Phoebe Litchfield and debutant Georgia Voll, were the key. They added 48 runs in just 41 balls. Their fearless batting rattled the Indian bowlers.
Australia lost quick wickets, including Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney. But, they won the chase in just 16.2 overs. Captain Tahlia McGrath sealed the win with a boundary off Titas Sadhu. Voll, with her unbeaten 46 off 42 balls (six fours, one six), is a player to watch in the series.
For India, only Renuka Singh and Priya Mishra resisted. They took three and two wickets, respectively. However, their efforts were insufficient to defend such a low total.
Twitter Reacts to Australia’s Commanding Win
Cricket fans on X (formerly Twitter) praised Megan Schutt’s spell. They were disappointed by India’s poor batting. Many praised Australia’s talent and noted India’s struggles against good bowlers.
Australia win by five wickets.
Georgia Voll finishes with 46* on debut 👏#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/TR6m78JBEz
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 5, 2024
Comfortable Win for Australia! 🎯
Chasing 101, they finish it off in just 16.2 overs!#CricketTwitter #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/GeeqG159iY
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) December 5, 2024
🚨Australia Women won by 5 wkts
-INDW 100(34.2)
-AUSW 102/5(16.2)
🚨Georgia Voll, on debut, was the standout performer with 46* from 42.👏
Phoebe Litchfield 35 (29)
Five for Megan Schutt🏆
Australia vs India – 1st ODI #AUSWvINDW #MeganSchutt #SmritiMandhana #HarmanpreetKaur pic.twitter.com/BBBBEmNOvt— Mandeep Singh (@Mandeep940) December 5, 2024
#India 🇮🇳 Women : 100 (34.2 ov)#Australia 🇦🇺 Women : 102/5 (16.2 ov)
Australia won by 5 wickets
Player of the match : Megan Schutt (Australia)
1stODI #AUSWvINDW 🏏🏆️ pic.twitter.com/Rgpnwe0eCp— Ishara (@Ishara23032) December 5, 2024
Statistical Highlights:
- Megan Schutt (AUS): 5/19 in 6.2 overs (career-best ODI figures)
- Georgia Voll (AUS): 46* off 42 balls
- India All-Out: 100 in 34.2 overs
Australia leads the three-match ODI series 1-0. The second game is in Brisbane. India will need to regroup quickly to avoid conceding the series.
