How did the first-ever match of women's cricket in the Commonwealth Games pan out?

Australia and India came up against each other in the opening match of the Commonwealth Games 2022.

Close contest

The match went to Australia by 3 wickets, but it was a great advertisement for women's cricket at the CWG as the match went right down to the wire and was finally decided on the last ball of the penultimate over.

Harmanpreet Kaur was the top run scorer for India as the team posted 154 runs on the board. The Indian captain has been performing quite well over the last few months, starting from the 2022 ODI World Cup and has disclosed what has brought about a change in her fortunes.

Change in fortunes

"For me, it's always important that I should enjoy each and every moment," Harmanpreet said. "Sometime in between, I was not enjoying because sometimes you take a lot of pressure - it happens with anyone. I was going through those things, but now I have made a plan that I have to enjoy. Whatever the situation, I'll try to stay there and give the start the team needs. That's what I've been trying in the last few months.

"Moreover, the way the team is responding is something I'm enjoying more. Because when you have experienced players with you, they want to support you in all the parts. Our medium-pacers - I actually wanted to give more opportunities to them. I'm happy they have grabbed that opportunity. We were always depending on spinners in the first few overs but they took the responsibility and gave those results. When whatever you have planned goes your way, you are going to enjoy it. Maybe that was the reason I was more relaxed and happy because everything was going according to our plans in the series against Sri Lanka."

With a score of 154, India was always in the game, especially after they had Australia down at 49 for 5 within 7.2 overs.

Aussies are just too good

However, the depth of the Australian batting line-up was on display as one batter kept coming at India after another. It was the partnership between Ashleigh Gardner and Grace Harris that shifted the momentum.

Harris smoked 37 off just 20 balls at a strike rate of 185. Gardener then finished it off with some help from Alana King as Australia was successful in chasing down the total with one over to spare.