Australia remain firm at the top of the ICC Women's Championship table with a resounding 122-run victory over India in the second ODI.

Georgia Voll and Ellyse Perry's brilliant centuries powered Australia to a daunting total of 371 against India. The target proved insurmountable, as India managed to score only 249, handing Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

With this win, Australia have extended their lead in the ICC Women’s Championship standings, sitting comfortably at the top with 32 points, ahead of second-placed England with 28 points. India are at No 3 with 25 points.

ICC WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP - STATE OF PLAY AHEAD OF 2025 WORLD CUP

In the current cycle, India have seven more matches to play (1 v Australia, 3 v West Indies and 3 v Ireland) while Australia have four more matches to play (1 v India, 3 v New Zealand).

Tahlia McGrath, stepping in as Australia’s captain in Alyssa Healy’s absence, won the toss and opted to bat first – a decision that proved spot-on as Australia piled on the runs. The opening pair, Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll, put together a formidable 130-run partnership before Litchfield was dismissed for 60 in the 20th over, caught off Saima Thakur's bowling.

With a solid foundation in place, Perry joined the well-set Voll to keep the runs flowing. The duo added 92 runs for the second wicket, during which Voll celebrated her maiden international century in just her second game.

ICC WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

Thakor claimed her second wicket by dismissing Voll, but India’s troubles were far from over. Perry and Beth Mooney formed another crucial partnership, adding 98 runs. During this stand, Perry reached her third WODI century, while Mooney brought up a well-earned fifty.

With captain McGrath contributing a vital 20 runs, Australia posted a mammoth total of 371, setting a daunting target for India to chase.

India's chase got off to a rocky start when Smriti Mandhana was clean-bowled by Kim Garth in the fourth over. The struggles continued as Harleen Deol fell cheaply soon after the powerplay ended. Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the innings with a partnership of 66 runs, guiding India past the three-figure mark. India's progress was halted again when Richa Ghosh, the team's top scorer with 54, was clean-bowled by Alana King.

Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur added 37 more runs before the Indian captain was caught off Megan Schutt. Rodrigues made 43 off 39 before being dismissed by Sophie Molineux. With half of the team back in the pavilion, Australia's victory was effectively secured.

Minnu Mani batted with the tailenders, contributing an important 46 runs to push India's total past 200. However, India still fell well short of their target of 372.

The third and final ODI will be played at the WACA on Wednesday, 11 December.

Australia continued to assert their dominance in the ICC Women’s Championship with a resounding victory over India in the opening ODI of the three-match series.

Megan Schutt led with the ball, producing a career-best performance and a maiden ODI five-for that saw her claim figures of 5/19 and dismantle India’s top order.

After Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and opted to bat, India’s batting line-up never truly found its rhythm.

The hosts remained in control from the outset, picking up wickets at regular intervals and piling pressure on the Indian batters.

The visitors’ struggles were compounded by poor shot selection and sloppy running between the wickets, making it difficult to build partnerships, with a 27-run fifth-wicket stand between Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh emerging as the highest.

Rodrigues top-scored with 23, while captain Harmanpreet (17) and returning Harleen Doel (19) were unable to anchor the innings.

Schutt’s exceptional new-ball spell, alongside key contributions from Kim Garth, Annabel Sutherland, Ash Gardner, and Alana King, who grabbed a wicket each, ensured that India were bowled out for just 100 in 34.2 overs.

A strong bowling performance helps Australia thump India to go 1-0 up in the Women’s ODI series 🔥

📝 #AUSvIND: https://t.co/va1FLK5kV8 pic.twitter.com/UmM1rVSuZL

— ICC (@ICC) December 5, 2024

Chasing a modest target of 101, Australia’s opening pair, Phoebe Litchfield (35) and debutant Georgia Voll, gave the home side a solid start with a 48-run partnership.

Just when the run chase seemed comfortable, Renuka Singh sparked a dramatic turnaround, claiming three quick wickets to reduce Australia to 52/3.

Singh dismissed Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney in the ninth over, before Priya Mishra sent Sutherland (6) and Gardner (8) back to the pavilion in the following overs that brought some life back into the game for Harmanpreet’s side.

Despite the early setbacks, Voll’s composed and match-winning 46* guided Australia to a five-wicket victory in the 17th over.

With the win, Australia remain firmly atop the ICC Women’s Championship standings with 30 points, on track for a third consecutive title. India, on the other hand, occupy the third place with 25 points, with England just ahead of them on 28 points.

India have eight more ODIs to play in the current cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship (2 v Australia, 3 v West Indies and 3 v Ireland) in an attempt to dismantle Australia’s dominance at the top of the table.

The second ODI takes place on Sunday, 8 December in Brisbane.

AUSTRALIA WOMEN: Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney (wkt), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath (capt), Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt

INDIA WOMEN: Priya Punia, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Gosh (wkt), Deepti Sharma, Saima Thakor, Titas Sadhu, Priya Mishra, Renuka Singh