Chasing 277, India women lost the first game of the three-match ODI series by 101 runs to Australia women at Canberra. While Alex Blackwell helped post a formidable total with a 112-ball 114-run knock, Ellyse Perry, who partnered her in a 180-run stand returned to dominate with the ball later. Her four-for and run out helped bowl the visitors out for 175 in the day-night encounter. After the hosts elected to bat, Jhulan Goswami gave India their first breakthrough with just 24 runs on the board. However, after the early loss of wicket, Perry anchored the team to a position of strength. After the departure of Meg Lanning 39 runs later, the all-rounder found an able ally in Alex Blackwell. The pair forged a solid partnership for the fourth wicket to tip the balance in Australia’s favour. While Blackwell took the attack to the India bowlers, Perry too milked the attack as she determinedly held up one end. When Rajeshwari Gayakwad eventually ended the stand, the pair had taken Australia to 243 in the 46th over. And couple of overs later, Perry was castled by Shikha Pandey with the hosts on 254.

Perry then returned to claim both the Indian openers. The all-rounder had MD Thirushkamini run out and then accounted for Punam Raut. Facing a mammoth total, India continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. While captain Mithali Raj was trapped in front by Jess Jonassen, Perry accounted for the middle-order including the key wicket of Harmanpreet Kaur to push India further into a corner. With Perry picking three wickets in the middle and effecting two run outs, India were reeling at 153 for eight, when the pacer claimed Goswami as her fourth scalp in the game. Grace Harris and Megan Schutt then wrapped up the Indian innings with 19 balls to spare. Brief scores: Australia women 276/6 in 50 overs (A Blackwell 114, E Perry 90, S Pandey 3/32) beat India women 175/10 in 46.5 overs (H Kaur 42, E Perry 4/44, G Harris 1/13, M Schutt 1/15) by 101 runs