Southern Stars remain undefeated in India

The Stars remain undefeated on their tour of India after claiming the second T20 match against the Indian women’s team in Vizag today.

Another unbeaten half century to Jess Cameron (68 not out) helped the visitors to a comfortable eight-wicket win with 16 balls remaining.

After winning the toss and electing to bat India got off to a steady start, with openers Amita Sharma (28) and Anjum Chopra (33) building a 40-run partnership. The visitors broke through in the seventh over running Sharma out courtesy of an impressive direct hit from Julie Hunter on the boundary.

Australia had to wait until the 16th over to claim their second wicket when Mithali Raj (18) was caught out by Jess Jonassen off the bowling of Hunter (1-27). The Southern Stars managed only one other wicket in the 20 overs when Chopra was caught out by Lisa Sthalekar off the bowling of Sarah Coyte (1-20). At the end of their 20 overs India had reached 3-111.

No. 3 batsman Cameron came into the game in the second over following the early loss of Leah Poulton’s (1) wicket. Cameron and Meg Lanning (40) again combined to build an integral partnership of 98 runs. Cameron had no trouble finding the boundary during her stint at the crease, with seven fours and two sixes as she reached her total off 54 balls.

Lanning was run out in the 17th over with the visitors at 2-103, needing only another nine runs for victory. Alex Blackwell (0 not out) came into the match late and worked hard to assist Cameron to notch the final runs needed for victory, with Australia finishing 2-115 in the 18th over.

After the match Cameron said she was happy with her contribution to the team’s total.

“I’m just making sure that I’m doing the things I can for the team. Fortunately enough for me I’ve had a few chances along the way so sometimes in T20 cricket you’ve just got to take it as comes and fortunately enough for me it’s paying off at the moment,” Cameron said.

Captain Jodie Fields said she was not worried about complacency creeping into the team.

“We’ve spoken a lot here about being disciplined in our batting and bowling and I think we’re doing that quite well so we’ll look to do that again in the third game,” Fields said.

The third T20 will be played at the same venue on Wednesday 21 March.

The full scorecard can be found here

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