Australia’s women’s team, led by skipper Alyssa Healy, have been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate in the second ODI against India, a match in which Harmanpreet Kaur’s side scripted history with a resounding 102-run win in New Chandigarh.
The sanction, imposed by match referee G.S. Lakshmi, came as Australia were found two overs short of their target after time allowances, adding further sting to what turned out to be their heaviest defeat in the format.
In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, a team is fined five per cent of the match fee for every over it falls short. With Australia two overs behind, Healy’s side was fined 10 percent of their match fee.
The skipper accepted the charge, pleading guilty to the offence and thereby avoiding a formal hearing. The decision was confirmed by on-field officials Vrinda Rathi and Janani Narayanan, with third umpire Lauren Agenbag and fourth umpire Gayathri Venugopalan joining in levelling the charge.
The fine came on a day when India’s bowlers and batters combined to deliver a statement performance. Smriti Mandhana’s fluent century, an innings that powered the hosts to a strong total before the spinners and seamers ran through Australia, bowling them out comprehensively to level the three-match series 1-1.
The margin of 102 runs marked the heaviest defeat in Australia’s ODI history, a rare blemish for one of the most dominant teams in women’s cricket.
With the series delicately poised at 1-1, the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi will host the decider on 20th September, starting at 1:30 PM IST. For Healy and Australia, the challenge is twofold: correcting their over-rate discipline while also regrouping mentally after a humbling defeat.
For Harmanpreet and her team, the momentum has shifted, as India eyes a famous series win on home soil against a formidable opposition.
