Smriti Mandhana sets records with third WODI hundred vs Australia
What's the story
Extending her sensational run, star Indian opener Smriti Mandhana scored a breathtaking hundred in the second WODI against Australia in Mullanpur. Mandhana batted with remarkable intent on this occasion and brought up her second successive 50-plus score in the series. Meanwhile, this was her third hundred against the Aussies in WODIs. She shattered numerous records with this knock.
Knock
Explosive start for India
Mandhana's explosive innings provided India with a solid start after losing the toss and being asked to bat first. She shared a 70-run partnership with Pratika Rawal for the first wicket, before adding another 49 runs with Harleen Deol for the second. The southpaw eventually departed in the 33rd over for 117 off just 91 balls. She smoked 14 fours and four maximums.
Milestone
Second-fastest WODI hundred for Mandhana
Mandhana reached her century in a mere 77 balls, making it the second-fastest ODI ton by an Indian woman. The record for the fastest century is held by Mandhana herself, who had scored a ton off just 70 balls against Ireland in Rajkot earlier this year. Meanwhile, the southpaw also recorded the fastest WODI hundred against Australia, surpassing England's Nat Sciver-Brunt's record (79 balls).
Stats
Eighth 50-plus score against Australia
Mandhana recorded her eighth 50-plus score against Australia as the tally now includes three tons. Across 18 WODIs versus the team, she has completed 791 runs at an average of 43.94, as per ESPNcricinfo. No other Indian boasts multiple WODI hundreds against Australia. The legendary Mithali Raj (1,123) is the only Indian with more WODI runs against the Aussies.
Numbers
Here are her WODI numbers
With her latest knock, Mandhana raced to 4,763 runs in 107 ODIs, averaging 47.15. This includes 12 centuries and 32 half-centuries. The southpaw, who smoked 58 runs in the series opener, recently went past New Zealand's Amy Satterthwaite's tally of 4,639 runs to become the seventh-highest run-getter in WODIs. Meanwhile, Mandhana also became the first batter to hammer five WODI tons in India.
Information
Mandhana joins these names
As per ESPNcricinfo, Mandhana has joined New Zealand's Suzie Bates as the batter with the joint-second most WODI tons against Australia (3). The duo is only behind England's current captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who boasts four hundreds in this regard.
Feat
Most WODI tons as an opener
With her latest knock, Mandhana equaled the world record for most centuries by an opener in women's ODIs, a milestone also held by New Zealand's Suzie Bates and England's Tammy Beaumont. The trio now shares the top spot with 12 hundreds each. Mandhana achieved this remarkable feat in just 106 innings, which is way quicker than Bates's 130 innings and Beaumont's 113 innings.
DYK
Do you know?
With her 12th WODI century, Mandhana has also climbed to joint third place among cricketers with the most WODI centuries. She is now tied with Beaumont, who has also scored 12 tons. Australia's former captain Meg Lanning tops this elite list with 15 tons. She is followed by Bates, who has smashed 13 centuries.