Alyssa Healy inspires the Aussies to victory

The peacocks are in trouble. The Indian women endured yet another tough loss, this time to Australia in a high scoring game at Visakhapatnam. Alyssa Healy produced a scintilating century reducing India's 330 into an inadequate total. In the end there was some excitement and drama as India threatened to cut the tail short, but the Aussies came home with an over and three wickets to spare. They moved ahead of England with seven points, but the English have a game in hand, and lurk in second at six points. With two wins and two losses, India sit third on the table with four points.

In an impressive bowling performance, Annabel Sutherland (5/40) was impeccable, claiming key Indian wickets and keeping runs on a tight leash in an otherwise high scoring game. Sophie Molineux (3/75) also contributed by snagging the wickets of Mandhana, Harleen Deol, and Deepti Sharma.

It was a tremendous victory for the Aussies after India set a record women's ODI target, despite a disappointing finish to their promising innings. Healy ensured that her team secured victory with the highest chase in ODI history. The record chase was built on a solid foundation, with Healy setting the pace at one end, while building invaluable fifty run partnerships with Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner.

Ellyse Perry (47*) played her innings in two parts - retiring for cramps before returning to finish the job at the end. Ashleigh Gardner (45) ensured that the Aussies remained firmly in the game after the departure of Healy to a sensational catch by Sneh Rana.

Sree Charani (3/41) gave the home fans plenty to cheer, but despite good spells from Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur, they could rattle yet not dismantle the chase. They rocked the boat when they removed Ashleigh Gardner and Sophie Molineux in quick time, but Perry kept her calm to bring the chase home in the company of Kim Garth.

Healy took merely 107 balls for her memorable 142, peppered with 21 boundaries and three hits over the fence. Her departure at 265/4 gave India a sliver of hope, as Rana picked up a stunning catch inches off the ground.

When Deepti Sharma confounded Tahlia McGrath with one that kept straight to trap her in front, the peacocks sensed an opportunity. Amanjot Kaur aroused their hopes even further, striking two quick blows to remove Gardner and Sophie Molineux. But Garth and Perry saw their team home without any further drama.

Australia can afford the luxury of some experimentation when they take on Pakistan in three days time.

India must take strength from a robust opening stand between Smriti Mandhana (80) and Pratika Rawal (75) but questions linger about the ability of the middle order to harvest their starts into something more significant. India also lost their last six wickets for just 36 runs. But the biggest concern remains their bowling, especially in the middle overs. Against South Africa and Australia, they allowed the match to drift, leaving too much to be done toward the finish. The game against England next Sunday becomes vital for India, The management will weigh out swapping Harleen Deol for Renuka Singh in a bid to strengthen their bowling while placing trust in the top order to deliver the runs.

Alyssa Healy - Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images