Australia A’s dominant performance continued in the second one-day international against India A, securing an eight-wicket victory in Mackay. Led by Maddy Darke’s unbeaten century and Katie Mack’s half-century, Australia A chased down India A’s total of 219 with ease, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
India A’s innings got off to a shaky start as Tayla Vlaeminck dismissed Priya Punia early on. Nicola Hancock and Charli Knott then chipped away at the Indian batting lineup, removing Shweta Sehrawat and Shubha Satheesh respectively. Raghvi Bist and Tejal Hasabnis provided some resistance with a 124-run partnership, but their efforts were cut short by Parsons and Knott.
Parsons dismissed Hasabnis for 63, while Knott had Minnu Mani caught behind. Shipra Giri and Bist attempted to rebuild the innings, but Bist’s run-out in the 45th over triggered a collapse. Maitlan Brown cleaned up the tail with a triple-wicket maiden over, bowling out India A for 219 in 48 overs.
Australia A’s chase began aggressively, with Mack and Darke capitalizing on loose deliveries from Soppadhandi Yashasri and Sayali Satghare. Mack reached her half-century in the 16th over, while Darke followed suit in the 21st. Satghare eventually dismissed Mack for 68, but Darke continued to anchor the innings.
Darke’s 38-run partnership with Knott kept the asking rate under control, and Tahlia McGrath’s quickfire cameo of 24 runs off 15 balls extinguished any hopes of an Indian comeback. Darke completed her century in the 37th over, and she and McGrath remained unbeaten to guide Australia A to victory with 58 balls to spare.
The victory extends Australia A’s dominance over India A, having also swept the T20I series 3-0. The two teams will face off in the final ODI on Monday at the Gold Coast, where Australia A will aim to complete a clean sweep.
