CWG 2022: Australia bounce back to win opener vs India

A huge upset looked to be on the cards when Renuka dismantled Australia’s famed top order of Alysaa Healy (0), Beth Mooney (10), skipper Meg Lanning (8) and Tahilia McGrath (14) in quick succession, leaving them tottering at 34/4 in the fifth over. However, bouncing back from the early setbacks in tremendous fashion, the seven-time ODI and current T20 world champions then showed why they are the true, unbeatable ‘superpower’ of women’s cricket. Slamming a match-winning half-century, Ashleigh Gardner (52 not out, 35b, 9x4), Grace Harris (37, 20b, 5x4, 2x6) and No. 9 Alana King (18 not out, 16b, 3x4) displayed the might of Australia’s batting depth, as the gold-medal favourites cantered to the target with an over to spare.

Gardner and King added 47 in just 29 balls for their unbeaten eighth-wicket partnership, with the latter finishing off the chase by smashing off-spinner Deepti Sharma for a four to ‘cow corner,’ which is known as ‘King’s corner’ in Australia’s because of her success in hitting the ball in that area in the Women’s Big Bash League. King’s solid batting shows that Australia clearly don’t have a tail!

It was, however, Harris’ free-flowing, stroke-filled, counter-attacking innings which brought life back in the Oz chase, which looked in doldrums till the No. 7 arrived. Harris’ aggression took the pressure off Gardner as the pair added 51 off 34 balls for the sixth wicket to bring the Aussies roaring back into the game. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur gave India a sniff when she took a superb catch, running backwards at mid-off to end Harris’ fireworks, but Gardner and King finished off the job for the Aussies.

It’s difficult to see someone stop Australia from winning the women’s cricket competition at this