Australia Women 163/5 (20 Overs) – 1st Innings Review
2nd T20I | India Women tour of Australia, 2026 | Manuka Oval, Canberra
Australia Women posted a competitive 163/5 in 20 overs after being asked to bat first by India Women at Manuka Oval. A dominant 128-run opening partnership between Georgia Voll and Beth Mooney laid the foundation, before India fought back strongly in the death overs.
Georgia Voll’s Career-Defining Knock
Georgia Voll was the standout performer of the innings, smashing 88 runs off 57 balls with 11 fours and 1 six at a strike rate of 154.39.
She controlled the powerplay brilliantly, helping Australia reach 48/0 in the first six overs. Voll’s strokeplay was clean and confident — driving through covers, cutting square, and rotating strike efficiently.
Her biggest highlight was the 128-run opening stand with Mooney, which came in just 14.5 overs. That partnership completely dominated the middle phase of the innings.
However, just when a 170+ total looked certain, Voll fell at 141/2 in the 16.3rd over, triggering a mini-collapse.
Beth Mooney’s Anchor Role
Beth Mooney contributed a solid 46 off 39 balls (4 fours). While Voll attacked, Mooney played the stabilizer role, ensuring there were no early setbacks.
The duo maintained a steady run rate around 8-9 RPO without taking excessive risks.
Mooney’s dismissal at 128/1 (14.5 overs), caught by Shafali Verma off Arundhati Reddy, shifted the momentum slightly in India’s favor.
Middle-Order Slowdown & India’s Comeback
After the 15th over, India clawed back impressively:
- Phoebe Litchfield: 6 (5)
- Ellyse Perry: 7 (10), run out
- Georgia Wareham: Run out on last ball
Australia managed only 35 runs in the last 5 overs, losing 4 wickets in that period.
India’s fielding intensity rose sharply — two crucial run-outs (Perry & Wareham) prevented Australia from crossing 170.
India’s Bowling Analysis
Arundhati Reddy was the pick of the bowlers:
- 4 overs – 30 runs – 2 wickets (Econ 7.50)
She removed both Mooney and Voll, breaking the backbone of the innings.
Renuka Singh Thakur also impressed:
- 4 overs – 27 runs – 1 wicket (Econ 6.80)
She dismissed Litchfield and kept things tight during the middle overs.
Other bowlers:
- Deepti Sharma: 3-0-25-0
- Amanjot Kaur: 2-0-19-0
- Kranti Gaud: 3-0-24-0
- Shree Charani: 3-0-28-0
India’s bowlers did well to contain Australia below 170 despite the massive opening partnership.
Key Match Stats
- Powerplay: 48/0
- Opening Partnership: 128 runs (14.5 overs)
- Last 5 Overs: 35 runs, 4 wickets
- Run Rate: 8.15
Match Context
This match is part of the India Women tour of Australia.
India Women won the toss and opted to bowl first — a decision that looked risky during the opening stand but proved effective in the death overs.
Final Verdict – Par Score or Under-Par?
On a good batting surface at Canberra, 163 looks competitive but chaseable. Given the strong Indian batting lineup featuring Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Richa Ghosh, the target will require disciplined bowling from Australia.
If Australia had capitalized better after 15 overs, they could have reached 175+. The final over run-outs definitely cost them momentum.
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