A dominant India Women cruised home to a crushing nine-wicket win over New Zealand Women in the first match of the three-match ODI series played at McLean Park, Napier. In a repeat of Indian men’s dominating show the previous day, the women’s team led by Mithali Raj put in a clinical display.
After the hosts were shot out for 192, India openers Smriti Mandhana (105) and Jemimah Rodrigues (81 not out) made like work of the chase. The two were in excellent touch as they first raised a fifty-run stand in just 52 balls.
Smriti, who was recently named the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year, started the show on a terrific note as she brought up her half-century in 43 balls with the help of six boundaries and one six.
The two continued to put pressure on the White Ferns’ bowlers’ as they were unstoppable, bringing up the 100-run partnership in just 105 balls. 19-year-old Jemimah then brought up her maiden ODI fifty in 61 balls. Runs came in thick and fast as even the 150-run total was breached.
Smriti became the first Indian woman to score an ODI century in New Zealand off only 101 balls with eight balls and three sixes.
Earlier, the home team got off to a flying start and looked set for a big total when Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine came out with an attacking approach. India desperately looked for an opening and none came in the first 10 overs. A run-out by Deepti Sharma resulted in Devine’s dismissal and India then capitalized on the opening. Ekta Bisht (3/32) and Poonam Yadav (3/42) then struck in quick succession with Deepti Sharma picking two wickets.
The second one-day will be played in played in Mount Maunganui on January 29.
Brief scores: New Zealand 192 in 48.4 overs (Suzie Bates 36, Amy Satterthwaite 31; Ekta Bisht 3-32, Poonam Yadav 3-42) lost to India 193/1 in 33 overs (Smriti Mandhana 105, Jemimah Rodrigues 81*; Amelia Kerr 1-33) by 9 wickets.
