By Trisha Ghosal in New Delhi
Australia closed out the ODI series in Delhi with a 412-run batting display and a composed defence in a high-scoring decider. Speaking after the match, Beth Mooney reflected on the lessons from the contest, India’s fearless chase, and the bigger picture ahead of the World Cup.
On the 412 total and India’s chase
“The style of play we came out with today was excellent,” Mooney said. “It was a flat wicket, once you got in you had to go big, and Georgia, Ellyse, and Ash all showed great intent. We probably fell away without a set batter at the end, but if you’re offered 412 at the start, you’ll take it.”
She praised India’s response. “When you’re chasing 400-plus, you can only go one way, so it wasn’t surprising. Smriti is a classy player, Harman built well, and Deepti too. For us it was about composure, taking chances, and once we did that, we killed the game.”
On women’s cricket and high scores
Mooney admitted such high totals might test players. “Hopefully there aren’t too many flat wickets at the World Cup—I don’t know if I’ve got the stamina for seven or eight games like that! But it shows what’s possible in the women’s game with the right tempo and mindset. It’s a great spectacle for where the game is and where it’s heading.”
On adaptability and World Cup goals
“To win World Cups you’ve got to be the most adaptable and composed team,” Mooney said. “Tonight we showed that against Smriti, Harman and Deepti when they built partnerships. The bowlers came up with ideas and the fielders backed it up. Once Sutherland and Phoebe are fit again, there’s no ceiling for this group.”
On series positives and spin prep
Mooney highlighted the learnings from Indian conditions. “We haven’t played much here recently, so picking up little things has been huge. We’ve also spent a lot of time on intent against spin—left-arm, right-arm, off-spin, leg-spin. Each batter has different strengths, and that’s a real asset for us.”
On the road ahead
Looking towards the World Cup, Mooney was clear: “There are no easy games anymore. Every team has been working towards this for three and a half years, so you’ve got to get it right every time.”
Australia now head to Bengaluru for downtime. “There’ll be some golfers, but not me,” she laughed. “It’s a chance to refresh before things get hectic again.”
For more updates on women’s cricket, follow RevSportz