Half-centuries from opener Pratika Rawal and captain Harmanpreet Kaur helped India Women set up a total of 251/9 at the end of 50 overs against Australia Women at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart on Friday, February 27. However, it was not enough, as the Aussies chased the target down quite comfortably with 13.5 overs to spare, and gained a massive six-wicket win to gain an unassailable 2-0 lead in the One-Day International series.

The match began with the Indian team opting to bat first and got off to a decent start as well. However, Ashleigh Gardner struck in the 17th over to hand the Aussies their first breakthrough in the form of star batter Smriti Mandhana. In-form batter Jemimah Rodrigues, too, perished shortly thereafter, edging one to Alyssa Healy off an Annabel Sutherland delivery. Sutherland and Alana King were the pick of the bowlers taking two wickets each.

Australia's chase had started with a hiccup straightaway, as Healy departed for 6 off 10. However, Georgia Voll took the matter in her own hands and staged a wonderful partnership alongside opener Phoebe Litchfield to make the target look like a cakewalk. Voll shone with 101 off just 82 balls, a knock that was decorated with thirteen boundaries and one maximum. Her batting is what truly made a mockery of the run chase on Friday.

Sutherland first took the wicket of Jemimah and then sent Kranti Goud packing for 19 off 15, as it kept the hosts in strong command over the current world champions. The right-arm pacer also kept the flow of runs in check, as she conceded just 37 after a seven-over spell in Hobart. Courtesy of her tight bowling and disciplined line and lengths, the Indians failed to find runs on a wicket that was supposed to assist the batters a lot.

For her outstanding performance with the bat, despite coming at the crease earlier than expected, the Player of the Match award deservingly went to Georgia Voll. This was also her maiden century in One-Day Internationals for Australia and it truly showed why she is among the most promising batters in the Australian side right now.

The third and final ODI of the series will be played on March 1. The same venue in the beautiful city of Hobart will be hosting the final encounter as well. After playing the last ODI, the two teams will be seen engaging in a one-off Test from March 6 in a four-day contest. This clash will once again be played in Hobart.