Australia’s women stormed to a six-wicket win over India in the opening ODI at Brisbane, grabbing a 1-0 edge in the three-game series. This emphatic response to their 1-2 T20I defeat sets the stage for a gripping multi-format showdown under home skies.
All-rounder Ashley Gardner dissected the victory with refreshing honesty during a Hobart press interaction. ‘Good and bad moments throughout, but we knit them into a win,’ she observed. ‘That Brisbane outing? Pure perfection. Bowlers dictated early, and we cruised in the run-chase.’
Post-T20 blues faded quickly. ‘Sure, the loss hurt the camp, but we know our potential when locked in. That’s our best version – time to trust it fully.’
Injury blows to Alice Perry and Kim Garth tested resolve, but Gardner hailed the bench strength. ‘Squad depth meant no panic; backups were match-fit.’
Shifting to Bellerive Oval, flexibility tops the agenda amid expected changes in conditions. ‘ODIs are unequivocally our strongest suit,’ Gardner declared. ‘Brisbane reinforced that with our impeccable history. Focus, simplicity, adaptation – that’s the formula we’ll stick to.’
Tactically astute, she outlined: ‘Read the pitch fresh each time, ignore assumptions. Bellerive bats well usually, India’s hungry after World Cup showings. Australia’s bounce spices bowling prospects.’
Momentum swings Australia’s way; expect a fierce series conclusion.