New Chandigarh, September 15 (HS): Australian opener Phoebe Litchfield delivered a standout innings in the first One-Day International against India here on Sunday, striking a masterful 88 off 80 balls with 14 boundaries, falling just 12 runs short of a century. The performance came just a fortnight after she powered the Northern Superchargers to victory in The Hundred Women’s T20 tournament.

Speaking after the match, Litchfield admitted, “I probably let my mind run a little too fast today. A 50-over game is long, and you do need to take your time building an innings. But at the same time, we’re expected to play aggressive cricket, so striking that balance is crucial.”

The 20-year-old acknowledged that, after her century in Mumbai (January 2024), this could have been her second hundred in India, but she was dismissed attempting an adventurous reverse sweep off Sneh Rana. “I tried to keep the game moving forward, maybe I focused too much on the reverse shot,” she reflected candidly.

Sharing the crease with captain Alyssa Perry and Beth Mooney, Litchfield praised their calming influence. “Batting with them makes things a lot easier. Sometimes my mind is racing, but they’re so calm and experienced. They guide me in the right direction and bat brilliantly themselves,” she said.

The Australians had to contend with challenging, humid conditions. Perry retired hurt after 38 balls due to a calf cramp, while Annabel Sutherland also needed a break during her innings. “The heat and humidity here are tough. We did try to acclimatize, but the body doesn’t always cooperate,” Litchfield added.

Earlier, India posted 281 for 7 after opting to bat first. Australia chased down the target in 44.1 overs, losing only two wickets to secure an emphatic eight-wicket win. The teams will now regroup before the second ODI, also in New Chandigarh, on September 17.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar