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With a three-wicket victory over India on Friday, the world champions Australia won the first women’s cricket match in Commonwealth Games history. This was possible because of Ashleigh Gardner’s unbeaten half-century and Jess Jonassen’s four-wicket haul.
Australia was in trouble at one point while chasing 155 in the 20-over match after losing half of their team for 49, but Gardner successfully brought them home with one over left.
She hit nine fours in her 52 unbeaten off 35 balls, and Grace Harris added 37 off 20 before Alana King (18 unbeaten) helped complete the task.
Renuka Singh, an Indian bowler, managed 4-18 in her four overs, but it was in vain.
India chose to bat first after winning the toss, and they made 154-8 in their 20 overs thanks to opener Shafali Verma’s 48 and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s 52 off 34 balls (a knock that had eight fours and a six).
However, Jonassen’s 4-22 meant that the lower tier was unable to increase their total.
On Sunday, Australia, the early Group A leader, plays Barbados, while Pakistan takes on India, its bitter rival.
The women’s tournament brings cricket back to the Commonwealth Games after a 24-year gap.
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