Smriti Mandhana's ton in vain as Australia take unassailable 2-0 lead against India in Hobart

Hobart: Smriti Mandhana’s ton went in vain as Australia rode on half-centuries by Nicole Bolton (77) and skipper Meg Lanning (61) to register a comfortable six-wicket win over India in the second ODI and seal the three-match series 2-0 on Friday. Australia put behind the disappointment of their T20 series loss against India and bounced back strongly to post back-to-back victories in the first two One-day Internationals to take an unassailable lead. [caption id=“attachment_2614636” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Smriti Mandhana of India celebrates after reaching her century in the 2nd ODI. Getty[/caption] After restricting India to 252 for eight in their allotted 50 overs today, Australia reached the target with 20 balls to spare, losing just four wickets in the process. Opting to bat, India lost opener Thirush Kamini for a duck in the very first ball of the match, but Mandhana and one-down batswoman in skipper Mithali Raj joined hands to bail out the team, putting on an important 150-run stand for the second wicket, batting for 31 overs together. While Mandhana scored 102 in just 109 deliveries that included 11 hits to the fence, Mithali played a patient 58-run knock off 98 balls with the help of five boundaries. Shikha Pandey also contributed with an unbeaten 33 but others unfortunately failed to come good with the bat. In fact, a flurry of wickets towards the end halted India’s march. For Australia, Ellyse Perry was the pick of the bowlers with figures of three for 54, while Megan Schutt (2/35) chipped in with two crucial wickets. While chasing, Australia got off to a brilliant start with Bolton and Lanning sharing a 138-run opening wicket partnership to provide a solid platform for the team. Bolton took only 74 balls for her 77, which was studded with 10 fours and Lanning’s 61 had four boundaries and came off 66 deliveries. Perry (31) made a significant contribution with the bat as well. However, four dismissals in quick succession briefly gave the visiting team an upper hand and threatened to derail Australia’s chase, but Jess Jonassen (29 not out) and Alyssa Healy (29 not out) guided the team home in just 46.4 overs. Shikha (2/50) and Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2/42) took two wickets each for the visitors. Brief scores: India Women: 252 for 8 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 102, Mithali Raj 58; Ellyse Perry 3/54, Megan Schutt 2/35). Australia Women: 253 for 4 in 46.4 overs (Nicole Bolton 77, Meg Lanning 61; Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2/42). PTI