Australia skipper Alyssa Healy has said that age is catching up with Ellyse Perry and the injury that she sustained during the first ODI against India in Mullanpur on Sunday, September 14, is nothing to be worried about, with just over two weeks left for their World Cup opener against New Zealand on October 1.
Perry received treatment on her calf during her knock as Australia cruised to a brilliant eight-wicket victory over India. However, Healy clarified that it was just cramps and Perry retired hurt as a precaution.
With the star allrounder sidelined, Phoebe Litchfield rose to the occasion with a brilliant 88 off 80 deliveries, as Australia showed their dominance by chasing down India’s 281/7 with over five overs to spare.
“She is just old, she
is fine. We want to push the limits when batting first and no different while chasing. We have the same intent as we are setting a big total. Phoebe was outstanding and everyone contributed beautifully and kept the scoring rate up,” Healy said while speaking at the post-match presentation.
Litchfield (88 off 80 balls) was dropped twice while Beth Mooney (77 not out off 74) and Perry (30 retired hurt) received a lifeline each, as the Aussies took a 1-0 lead in the three-match affair.
During their stay in the middle, Mooney and Annabel Sutherland (54 not out off 51) added 116 runs for the third wicket.
Mooney, who was dropped by Deepti Sharma on 56, struck nine boundaries in her innings while Sutherland had six hits to the fence.
India had done well in the first half of the match to set the visitors a 282-run target, putting their money on their spin battery, but when opportunities were produced, the fielders came up short.
Litchfield made the most of two lifelines to make 88 runs with 14 boundaries, which were laced with spectacular shots across the ground as she set the platform for Australia’s successful run chase.
