Picture Credit: Instagram/@cricketcomau
India ended Australia's 26-match unbeaten streak in the 50-over game on Sunday when they defeated the hosts in the third and final ODI. There were many stars in the game from both the sides and Australian bowler Sophie Molineux was among them as she made her way back to the field even after being hit by the ball on her mouth. The 23-year-old Molineux was seen back on the field with a bandage wrapped on her mouth as she was hit earlier when she was trying to stop a throw off Stella Campbell.
The incident happened on the last ball of the 39th over of Annabel Sutherland. India’s Deepti Sharma was facing the ball and she top-edged her pull which landed safely in front of Stella Campbell at fine-leg. Campbell threw on a bounce and while trying to stop that throw, Molineux got injured and left the field. But the left-arm orthodox spinner made it back to the ground with a bandage wrapped on her mouth.
Watch the video of the incident:
Sophie Molineux had 3 crucial overs left in the game
India was chasing down Australia’s target of 265 runs in the 3rd ODI and was 5 wickets down when Molineux left the field in 39th over. But as Australia needed the left-arm orthodox spinner bowling in the death, Molineux, who had 3 crucial overs left to bowl, decided to come back on the field to bowl again. As she had her mouth bandaged, she was not able to speak much but her presence was important for them.
Molineux came back after the 40th over when India Women were reeling at 210/6 with 65 runs needed off the final 10 overs. She bowled the 45th, 48th, and the final over of the second innings. She had to defend 4 runs but couldn’t do as Jhulan Goswami hit the winning runs for India. Molineux took 1 wicket in the match and went for 41 runs in her 9.3 overs.
Although, Australia Women won the first two ODIs of the three-match series by 9 wickets and 5 wickets respectively, India Women came back stronger to take the third game home. Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia shined with the bat at the top, while Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana took the game deep to help India prevail over the mighty Aussies.
India and Australia will square off in a one-off Test on September 20 before playing a three-match T20I series starting from October 7.