Australia women claim opener

Alex Blackwell takes the applause for her 75 which helped set up Australia's win

Australia women romped to an eight-wicket victory over their Indian counterparts with 12.2 overs to spare in the opening game of their five-match series.

Vice-captain Alex Blackwell (75 from 101 balls) and Lisa Sthalekar (73 not out from 69) added 116 for the second wicket as the hosts cruised past their victory target of 184 at Hurstville Oval in Sydney.

Such was Blackwell and Sthalekar’s command, India strike bowler Jhulan Goswami was forced back into the attack ahead of schedule in the middle of the innings in an attempt to break the partnership, but she could not enough to stop the pair reaching their half centuries.

Blackwell’s dismissal in the 33rd over brought Karen Rolton (16 not out) to the crease but it did not disrupt the scoring pattern.

Earlier, the hosts produced a disciplined effort with the ball to restrict India to 183 for six in their 50 overs.

A 61-run partnership between Goswani (46) and Rumeli Dhar (35 not out) in the latter stages of the innings posted a respectable score after the top order made a turgid start.

Two wickets to Ellyse Perry and another to Emma Sampson in a four-over spell had India struggling at 89 for five.

Delissa Kimmince bowled economically to finish with 2-27 while Sampson (2-34) and Perry (2-37) also chipped in.

The second match is at the Sydney Cricket Ground tomorrow.