India Women vs Australia Women: Healy’s Final ODI Sees Renuka Singh Strike Early

Hobart, Tasmania – In a highly anticipated final ODI between India and Australia, Alyssa Healy’s farewell appearance in the 50-over format began with an early blow as she was dismissed by Renuka Singh off just the third ball of the innings. Australia had already secured the ODI series, winning the first two matches, but the multi-format series remains competitive with a Test match still to come.

Match Setup and Team Changes

India won the toss and elected to bowl, hoping to capitalize on a drier pitch that Harmanpreet Kaur believed would favor her spinners. Both teams made changes to their lineups from the previous match.

Australia XI

• Alyssa Healy (c)
• Phoebe Litchfield
• Georgia Full
• Beth Mooney
• Annabel Sutherland
• Ash Gardner
• Tahlia McGrath
• Georgia Wareham
• Nicola Carey
• Alana King
• Lucy Hamilton (making her international debut, presented with ODI cap 151 by Healy)

India XI

• Smriti Mandhana
• Pratika Rawal
• Harleen Deol
• Harmanpreet Kaur (c)
• Jemimah Rodrigues
• Richa Ghosh
• Deepti Sharma
• Kashvee Gautam
• Sree Charani
• Sneh Rana
• Renuka Singh

Early Blow for Australia

Renuka Singh made an immediate impact, dismissing Alyssa Healy with an enticing delivery just outside off stump. Healy attempted a swing but edged the ball, which was spectacularly caught by Sneh Rana at short third, resulting in a first-ball duck for the Australian captain. This early wicket provided a significant boost for India as they aim to defend a target of 283 runs set after winning the toss and opting to bowl first.

Context and Series Outlook

Australia’s victory in the first two ODIs secured the ODI leg of the series. However, the overall multi-format series remains open, with the upcoming Test match holding the key to determining the ultimate winner. Australia has faced injury challenges with Kim Garth, Ellyse Perry and Sophie Molineux unavailable for selection, but the team’s depth has been evident in the performances of those who have stepped up.

The match saw a guard of honour given to Alyssa Healy as she entered the field, a gesture acknowledging her final ODI appearance.