India A’s spinners, Minnu Mani and Priya Mishra, put on a dominant performance on the opening day of the four-day match against Australia A in Gold Coast, sharing nine wickets to restrict the hosts to 212.
Australia A, opting to bat first, made a promising start with openers Emma de Broughe and Georgia Voll. However, Mishra’s introduction in the 13th over proved pivotal as she dismissed de Broughe with a wrong’un. Mani then joined the party, trapping Australia A captain Charlie Knott in front.
Voll played a fluent innings, scoring 71 off 95 balls, but was eventually caught behind off Mannat Kashyap. Mishra and Mani continued to bowl with discipline, picking up regular wickets on a surface that was not as spin-friendly as expected.
Kate Peterson and Grace Parsons showed patience and used the crease well against the spinners, adding 60 runs for the ninth wicket. However, Mani broke the stand by trapping Parsons lbw, while Mishra’s wrong’un accounted for Peterson.
In reply, India A lost Priya Punia early to a short ball from Maitlan Brown. Shubha looked at ease against the fast bowlers but was trapped lbw by Peterson. Shweta Sehrawat and Tejal Hasabnis then steadied the innings, adding an unbroken 53-run stand for the third wicket.
Sehrawat, who finished the day unbeaten on 40, looked increasingly comfortable as the innings progressed. Hasabnis, with 31 not out, provided solid support. India A ended the day on 100 for 2, trailing Australia A by 112 runs.
