In a gripping face-off, India A women put up a stout but ultimately unsuccessful fight in their second innings, falling short against Australia A by 45 runs in their unofficial Test match on Sunday, August 25.
Maddy Darke and Georgia Voll.
Chasing a daunting 289-run target, India A began Sunday with 140 runs left to score but only four wickets in hand. The match was always going to be a challenge, and as expected, it turned out to be just that.
Wicketkeeper-batter Uma Chetry was the first wicket to fall for India A on the final day, although she did make a notable effort. Chetry partnered with Raghvi Bisht to forge a solid 79-run partnership for the seventh wicket. However, Tess Flintoff broke this stand, bagging Chetry’s wicket and getting her caught by Emma de Broughe.
The departure of Chetry seemed to affect Bisht as well, who fell just two balls later, also to Flintoff. This double strike by Flintoff effectively dashed India’s hopes of closing in on the target.
Next, Mannat Kashyap was dismissed, getting caught by Lilly Mills off a delivery from Maitlan Brown. With nine wickets down for just 219 runs, the end seemed near for India A. Nevertheless, Sayali Satghare stepped up, making a defiant effort to resist the Australian bowlers.
Sayali hit a couple of boundaries and even managed a six, bringing some much-needed aggression to the match. Ultimately, she lobbed a caught-and-bowled opportunity towards Charli Knott, who made no mistake in grabbing it.
Sayali, along with leg-spinner Priya Mishra, added another 24 runs for the tenth wicket, inching India A closer to their target. Despite their best efforts, they couldn’t reach the finish line.
Impressive Bowling by Australia A
Charli Knott stood out among the Australia A bowlers, claiming three wickets and conceding just 34 runs in her 17.5 overs. She was ably supported by Tess Flintoff, who also took three wickets while giving away 39 runs. Grace Parsons chipped in with two wickets, ensuring constant pressure on the Indian lineup.
While India A showcased moments of brilliance, particularly with the bat in crucial partnerships, Australia’s disciplined bowling performance ultimately ensured they clinched the win.
Conclusion
This unofficial Test match demonstrated the resilience and fighting spirit of both teams. India A women, despite their loss, showed commendable grit and determination. On the other hand, Australia A’s bowlers displayed skill and consistency, securing their team a well-earned victory.
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