Sthalekar inspires Australia women

Lisa Sthalekar cuts en route to her second ODI ton which ensured a defendable total

A stylish unbeaten century from Lisa Sthalekar set up a thumping 86-run win for Australia women over their Indian counterparts at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

India never looked likely to overhaul the home team’s total of 215 for six despite Mithali Raj’s valiant 74. Anjum Chopra (20) was her only team-mate to reach double figures.

The victory gives the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars a 2-0 lead in the five-match series with three games to play.

Sthalekar (104 from 113 balls) was again in imposing form and she scored her second one-day international century with a perfectly-timed innings that stole the initiative from India after their positive early start.

After being sent into bat, the hosts’ total was built around a 93-run fifth-wicket stand between Sthalekar and Jodie Fields.

The pair came together in the 30th over with Australia toiling at 83 for four after rain had disrupted the opening part of their innings.

Sthalekar and Fields were composed at the crease and quickly asserted their authority on the match, scoring at more than six runs per over to put the home team into a strong position.

Sthalekar’s century was her highest score in one-day internationals and also included her 2,000th run, making her the fourth Australian woman to reach the milestone.

India’s innings stalled from the outset with tight bowling and suffocating fielding limiting them to 23 from the first 15 overs.

Without an attacking intent to India’s batting, Australia’s attack was able to dictate play and shared the wickets for the second match in succession.

Lauren Ebsary enjoyed a successful start to her international career with a wicket and two catches while Kirsten Pike claimed late wickets to finish with 3-29.

The third match in the series is at North Sydney Oval on Wednesday.