Litchfield stars Australia hammer India by 190 runs to complete 3-0 series sweep

Run out without facing a ball in the first innings of the one-off Test, it was a nightmarish start to the India tour for young Australian opener Phoebe Litchfield. In the second innings of that game, which was only her second Test, she got bowled for 18 attempting an ill-advised reverse sweep. From there, however, began a phenomenal comeback by the 20-year-old. She top-scored for Australia in the first two ODIs, before slamming her second century in the format at the Wankhede Stadium here on Tuesday to help her team earn a series-sweeping 190-run win.

Australia's Phoebe Litchfield during the 3rd ODI of the Australia Women's Tour of India, 2023–24, between India and Australia at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday (ICC - x)

It was the third-heaviest defeat for India in women’s ODI cricket.

Not much went right for India as they suffered their 10th straight ODI defeat at home against the Aussies. Opting to bat first once again, the visitors rode on a 189-run opening stand between Litchfield (119) and skipper Alyssa Healy (82) to post 338/7 – the highest-ever total conceded by India in the format. In reply, Smriti Mandhana top-scored with 29 as Harmanpreet Kaur and Co were bowled-out for 148 in 32.4 overs.