India women host Australia in 3-match ODI series: Statistical preview
What's the story
The Indian women's cricket team will take on Australia in a three-match ODI series starting Sunday. The series is not only a chance to finalize strategies ahead of the home World Cup but also an opportunity to avenge last December's 0-3 defeat in Australia. Since then, India have been on a winning streak, sweeping Ireland at home and winning a tri-series in Sri Lanka against South Africa. India and Australia have met 56 times in WODIs. The Aussies have claimed 46 wins compared to India's 10.
Player focus
Renuka returns for India
Renuka Singh, a key player for India, will be making her international comeback after nearly nine months due to a stress fracture. Chief selector Neetu David stressed on her importance in the team. "Renuka has been a precious player for us. She had niggles and has been out of the game, but is available," she said, as per PTI. Renuka will lead India's three-pronged seam attack with Kranti Goud and Arundhati Reddy.
Team strategy
Australia eye to settle back in
Australia, the seven-time world champions, will play their first international since the Women's Ashes in February. Despite this, skipper Tahlia McGrath is confident about their settled core. "We've been pretty lucky with the stability of our squad. It's a good opportunity to try different roles and combinations," she said. Beth Mooney, a consistent performer against India in recent ODIs, remains a major threat in Australia's top order.
Squads
Here are the two squads
India Women squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Sneh Rana, Uma Chetry (wk). AUS Women squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicole Faltum, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Charli Knott, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.
Mandhana
Mandhana is closing in on 2,000 WODI runs at home
In 105 matches, Smriti Mandhana owns 4,588 runs at 46.34. She has hit 11 tons and 31 fifties. As per ESPNcricinfo, in 16 matches versus Australia Women, Mandhana has amassed 616 runs at 38.50 (100s: 2, 50s: 4). Mandhana is closing in on 2,000 WODI runs on home soil. She owns 1,958 runs at 43.51 with 4 tons and 14 fifties.
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Harmanpreet Kaur set to feature in her 150th match
Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur is set to feature in her 150th WODI match. From 149 matches, she owns 4,069 runs at 27.67 (129 innings). She has 7 tons and 19 fifties under her belt. 647 of her runs have come against the Aussies.
AUS
Perry, Healy and Mooney are key batters for Australia
Ellyse Perry is the 4th-highest scorer for Australia in Women's ODIs with 4,187 runs at 48.68. She has hit 5 tons and 35 fifties. In 27 matches versus India (22 innings), Perry has 722 runs at 40.11. Alyssa Healy is a pivotal figure with 3,198 runs from 115 matches (103 innings) at 34.76 (100s: 5, 50s: 18). In 82 matches, Beth Mooney owns 2,553 runs at 47.27 with three tons and 18 fifties.
Bowling
Here are the key bowlers to watch out for
With 166 scalps, Perry is a threat. She averages 25.37 in WODIs. Megan Schutt is featuring in her 100th WODI. She owns 135 wickets at 23.50. Ashleigh Gardner has picked 101 WODI scalps from 77 matches at 21.18. Among Indian bowlers, Deepti Sharma has picked 136 wickets from 109 matches at 28.08.