Date:29/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/29/stories/2008102955891700.htm

Sport - Cricket

Mithali’s effort in vain

Melbourne: Mithali Raj smashed a quick-fire half century (51) but failed to hit a final ball six to tie the score as the Indian women’s cricket team lost its Twenty20 international match against Australia by two runs in Sydney on Tuesday.

Chasing a victory target of 143, India was down two wickets for 11 runs in the third over, and the required run rate quickly shot past nine per over.

Raj and captain Jhulan Goswami dragged the visitor back into contention in the final eight overs with an unbroken 60-run partnership at Hurstville Oval.

The experienced Indian duo steadily built the innings and needed a six off the final ball to tie the match and force a shootout, but Raj could only manage a boundary to give the home team a hard-fought win.

Raj’s 51 came of 45 balls. Apart from Raj the other top scorers for India include Sulakshana Naik (32) and Goswami (27 not out).

Earlier, a dazzling innings of 44 from 23 balls by captain Karen Rolton guided Australia to 142 for four after being sent into bat. Despite suffering a thigh injury early in her innings, Nitschke (49 from 40) was the other main contributor with the bat for the host. She batted with the aid of a runner and hit four boundaries and two sixes. Rolton smashed eight boundaries on way to her 44. Australia and India start their five-match one-day international series on Friday at Hurstville Oval.

The scores: Australia 142 for four (Karen Rolton 44, Nitschke 49) bt India 140 (Mithali Raj 51, Sulakshana Naik 32, Jhulan Goswami 27). — PTI