Australia A seal India series whitewash

Australia A have wrapped up a clean sweep against India A in their one-day series in Mumbai, with Tahlia McGrath starring with the bat and Molly Strano with the ball in the 3-0 whitewash. 

South Australian allrounder McGrath, who has played a handful of ODIs for the senior Australian team, impressed across all three matches with 167 runs at 55.66, while Victorian off-spinner Strano collected six wickets at 11.5.

The Australians kicked off the series with a 91-run victory at the Bandra Kurla Complex on Monday, courtesy of a superb all-round performance with both bat and ball.

A half-century to McGrath (58 off 66) led the way for Australia A, backed up by Western Australian Heather Graham (48 off 70) and NSW's Naomi Stalenberg (47 off 49), as the tourists racked off 8-271 from their 50 overs.

Skipper Strano then led the way in reply, capturing 3-23 from her five overs as India A were bowled out for 180.

Speedster Maitlan Brown (2-16) also impressed, with fellow quicks Lauren Cheatle (2-35) and Sammy Jo-Johnson (2-28) the other multiple wicket-takers.

Two days later, Australia A put the series result beyond doubt with a four-wicket win at the same venue.

Chasing 7-197 for victory after Strano (3-23) and McGrath (2-32) restricted the hosts, Australia A reached with target with 9.3 overs to spare.

McGrath capped off a brilliant all-round game with a 45-ball 47, while Graham continued her good form, posting 68 from 87.

The series whitewash was completed on Friday when Australia A romped to a five-wicket win.

This time it was leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington who did the damage with the ball, capturing 3-59 to restrict India A to 5-257, before opener Georgia Redmayne’s 98 put the result beyond doubt.

She was well-supported by the in-form Grath (62 off 50) and wicketkeeper Josie Dooley (67 off 67) as the tourists sealed victory with 5.3 overs remaining.

Australia A will now meet India A in the three-game 20-over series.

The series is the first official women’s ‘A’ tour since a restructure of the National Talent Pathway last year. Previously, the under-23 Shooting Stars team travelled overseas to nurture up-and-coming talent.

Australia A squad: Samantha Bates, Maitlan Brown, Lauren Cheatle, Piepa Cleary, Josephine Dooley, Heather Graham, Sammy Jo Johnson, Tahlia McGrath, Chloe Piparo, Georgia Redmayne, Naomi Stalenberg, Molly Strano, Belinda Vakarewa, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Schedule

One-day fixtures at BKC, Mumbai

15 October: Australia won by 91 runs

17 October: Australia won by four wickets

19 October: Australia won by five wickets

T20 fixtures at BKC, Mumbai

22 October v India A

24 October v India A

26 October v India A