3 minute read
A depleted and rusty Australia will start favourites in their series-opening women's ODI against India in Mackay.
AUSTRALIA-INDIA WOMEN'S SERIES
* ODIs on Sept 21, 24 & 26 (Mackay)
* Test on Sept 30-Oct 3 (Gold Coast)
* T20s on Oct 7, 9 & 10 (Gold Coast)
WHAT IS UP FOR GRABS?
The rivals are battling for a new trophy, coined to reflect a multi-format series that includes the first Australia-India women's Test in almost 16 years. A points-based system will determine the winner. The system is the same as that used in the Ashes (two points for a limited-overs win, four points for a Test win).
WHAT ELSE IS ON OFFER?
Momentum leading up to the 2022 ODI World Cup, which New Zealand is hosting in March-April. The coming months (an Ashes series will follow this tour) will ultimately dictate the structure of Australia's squad and XI at that tournament.
ARE AUSTRALIA UNBEATABLE IN THE 50-OVER FORMAT?
It has felt like that in recent years. Australia have won 24 consecutive one-dayers, bettering the record that was held by Ricky Ponting's team that dominated the 2003 World Cup. However, Meg Lanning's side were notably ousted at the semi-final stage of the 2017 ODI World Cup by India. Harmanpreet Kaur produced a stunning unbeaten knock of 171 on that occasion. Australia's overall record against India is an impressive 37 wins from 46 one-dayers.
WHAT WILL AUSTRALIA'S ATTACK LOOK LIKE?
The absence of Jess Jonassen and Megan Schutt, ranked first and second respectively on the International Cricket Council's ODI bowler rankings, will be hard to cover. Tayla Vlaeminck is also unavailable. Inexperienced fast bowlers Darcie Brown, Maitlan Brown, Stella Campbell and Hannah Darlington and Annabel Sutherland all have a golden chance to shine. Ellyse Perry will return to new-ball duties.
AUSTRALIA'S SQUAD: Meg Lanning (capt), Rachael Haynes, Darcie Brown, Maitlan Brown, Stella Campbell, Nicola Carey, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Redmayne, Molly Strano, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham.
INDIA'S TEST AND ODI SQUAD: Mithali Raj (capt), Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Punam Raut, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Yastika Bhatia, Taniya Bhatia, Shikha Pandey, Jhulan Goswami, Meghna Singh, Pooja Vastrakar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav, Richa Ghosh, Ekta Bisht.
