1. Deepti helped India reach a total to defend:
Shafali gave a blistering start but Australia clawed their way back with 3 wickets including that of big fish Harman. One was very scared as we did not have any power player left barring from a misfiring Veda. Deepti then joined Jemimah and both started to rebuild the innings with a slow half-century stand but albeit a vital one to give us a total to fight although an under par one.
2. Getting Healy & Lanning wickets :
Healy started the game quite well and in fourth gear and was motoring along. Had dispatched Poonam to deep long on stands but Poonam had the last laugh with getting her caught and bowled. Lanning we all know is master in chasing down par scores and her wicket by Gaykwad might look only but was vital contribution taking into context what Lanning can do.
3. Australia losing the plot :
Once Healy departed equation was not daunting but instead of taking the game deep with ones and twos Australia took the riskier route of attacking the wrong UN’s of Poonam and were found wanting. Australia started losing wickets frequently and totally fell behind in the chase.
4. Inability to rotate strike:
Australian middle-order was found wanting and probably keep 10 runs too many in final 3 overs. This is were Jemimah and Deepti approach gave us extra 10 runs.
5. Bowlers backing up Poonam’s effort:
What Poonam was doing at end required proper backup from other end and this is were Shikha & Gaykwad came together and didn’t let Gardener and remaining batters to take the game away from them.
Harman’s rotation of bowlers was brilliant. She ensured the Reddy spell was completed by 15th over. Trusted her spinners even in death overs and with Shikha having a good day as well squeezed out a 17 run win.
