Australia A Women produced a complete performance to beat India A Women by six wickets on the fourth and final day of the unofficial Test in Brisbane, sealing the one-off contest in convincing fashion.
Chasing 281 for victory, the hosts paced their innings superbly to reach 283/4 in 85.3 overs, with consistent contributions from the top order ensuring India A could never build sustained pressure.
The day began with Australia A bowling India A out for 286 in their second innings. Openers Rachel Trenaman and captain Tahlia Wilson then weathered a disciplined new-ball spell from Titas Sadhu and Saima Thakor.
Showing patience and composure, the pair guided the side past the hundred mark. Their 117-run partnership frustrated the visitors before Thakor struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Wilson for 46 and Trenaman for 64.
At 118/2, India A had a glimmer of hope, but Maddy Darke and Anika Learoyd quickly shut the door with a decisive stand. Darke scored a fluent 68, while Learoyd’s composed 72 anchored the chase.
The duo rotated the strike smartly, punished loose deliveries, and built a 136-run partnership that effectively put the result beyond doubt, despite India A rotating their bowlers in search of a breakthrough.
Darke fell to Tanusree Sarkar and Learoyd was dismissed by VJ Joshitha shortly before the finish, but the outcome was already settled. Nicole Faltum (16*) and Ella Hayward (4*) completed the formalities with ease.
For India A, Thakor was the most effective bowler with 2/63, while Sarkar and Joshitha picked up one wicket each. However, the attack lacked bite on a benign final-day surface, with the spinners in particular struggling to trouble the set batters.
The victory showcased Australia A’s batting depth, highlighted earlier by Sianna Ginger’s first-innings century. For India A, Raghvi Bist’s twin half-centuries stood out, but the visitors were left to rue missed opportunities across the four days.
Brief Scores after Day 4
India A Women: 299 all out in 89.1 overs. Raghvi Bist (93), VJ Joshitha (51); Georgia Prestwidge (3/37); Maitlan Brown (3/65)
Australia A Women: 305 all out in 76.2 overs. Sianna Ginger (103), Nicole Faltum (54); Saima Thakor (3/21), Radha Yadav (2/68)
India A Women: 286 all out in 81.4 overs. Raghvi Bist (86), Shafali Verma (52); Amy Edgar (5/57), Georgia Prestwidge (3/47)
Australia A Women: 283/4 in 85.3 overs. Anika Learoyd (72), Maddy Darke (68); Saima Thakor (2/63)