MUMBAI — In a fitting tribute to a departing legend, Australia’s women’s cricket team clinched the three-match ODI series against India with a game to spare, powered by a magnificent maiden international century from rising star Georgia Voll. The five-wicket victory in the second ODI at the Wankhede Stadium was not just a series win; it was a symbolic passing of the torch, secured in the final ODI series of the great Alyssa Healy’s storied 50-over career.
Chasing a competitive 259 for victory, Australia found themselves in a precarious position at 74 for 3. The early dismissals of Healy, caught behind for a brisk 18, and the experienced Beth Mooney, placed significant pressure on the middle order. It was here that the 24-year-old Voll, playing in just her 12th ODI, announced her arrival on the world stage with breathtaking authority. Combining elegant strokeplay with fierce determination, she constructed a match-winning innings of 103 not out from just 95 deliveries, guiding her team home with 21 balls to spare.
A Century Forged Under Pressure
Voll’s innings was a masterclass in composure. Arriving at the crease with the series on the line, she initially played second fiddle to a fluent Phoebe Litchfield (63), rebuilding the innings in a crucial 88-run partnership. Once Litchfield departed, Voll took complete control. She expertly manipulated the field, finding gaps with precision, and punished anything loose with power. Her century, brought up with a single off Pooja Vastrakar, was her second in as many matches against India, following a ton in the preceding Test, cementing her status as a player for the big occasion.
Reflecting on her performance, a beaming Voll highlighted the significance of the moment. "It's pretty special, to be honest," she said. "To get my first ODI hundred and to do it in a series win, especially in Heals' last ODI series, is something I'll never forget. We were in a bit of trouble early, so the focus was just on building partnerships and taking it deep."
A Bittersweet Farewell for Healy
The series victory was draped in the context of Alyssa Healy’s ODI retirement. The iconic wicketkeeper-batter, who has been a pillar of Australian dominance for over a decade, had announced this would be her final 50-over campaign. While she would have loved a big score in her penultimate innings, the sight of a young teammate like Voll steering the ship to victory provided its own profound satisfaction. Healy’s leadership and aggressive brand of cricket have inspired a generation, and the seamless transition to new match-winners is perhaps her greatest legacy.
Healy, who will continue to captain in T20Is, was gracious in defeat of her own personal ambitions, focusing on the team's success. "It's always nice to win a series, and to do it here in India is a tough challenge," she stated. "Seeing the young kids like Georgia stand up under pressure is what it's all about. That's the future of Australian cricket right there, and it's in very good hands."
India's Innings: A Tale of Two Halves
Earlier, India, having won the toss and chosen to bat, posted 258 for 8 from their 50 overs. The innings was built on the back of a magnificent 117 from the returning Smriti Mandhana, her sixth ODI century. She shared a dominant 124-run opening stand with Shafali Verma (44), threatening a total well beyond 300. However, the Australian bowlers, led by the ever-reliable Megan Schutt (3/40) and the disciplined Ashleigh Gardner (2/41), staged a remarkable fightback.
The middle overs squeeze applied by the tourists was critical. After the openers fell, the Indian middle order struggled to maintain momentum against tight bowling and sharp fielding. Key wickets at regular intervals, including the dangerous Richa Ghosh and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, prevented India from launching in the final death overs. The last 10 overs yielded just 55 runs, a slowdown that ultimately proved decisive.
Turning Points & Key Performances
Several moments shifted the momentum firmly towards Australia:
• Schutt's Double Strike: Removing both set openers, Verma and Mandhana, in quick succession to halt India's flying start.
• Voll & Litchfield's Partnership: The calm, calculated 88-run stand that rescued Australia from 74/3 and laid the platform for the chase.
• Voll's Final Flourish: Her acceleration after Litchfield's dismissal, taking on the Indian spinners and seamers with equal confidence to ensure no late drama.
What This Victory Signifies
This series win is significant for Australia on multiple fronts. Firstly, it reinforces their incredible depth and ability to regenerate. With the retirements of Healy (from ODIs) and the recent departure of other greats, questions were asked about the next generation. Players like Voll, Litchfield, and Annabel Sutherland are providing emphatic answers. Secondly, winning a bilateral ODI series in India remains one of the toughest assignments in women’s cricket. To achieve it convincingly, with a game in hand, sends a powerful message ahead of future global tournaments.
For India, the defeat exposes familiar concerns around middle-order consistency and finishing innings strongly with the bat. While Mandhana’s form is a massive positive, the team will be disappointed not to have defended 258 after having Australia on the ropes early in their chase. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, "We started really well with the bat and ball, but we couldn't maintain that pressure. Georgia played a brilliant innings. We need to learn to close out games from winning positions."
Conclusion: A New Chapter Begins
As the teams head into the third and final ODI, now a dead rubber, the spotlight will remain on Alyssa Healy for one last time in the 50-over colors. However, the lasting image from this series-clinching victory will be that of Georgia Voll, helmet raised, bat aloft, having authored a career-defining knock. It was a performance that ensured a victorious send-off for a legend while boldly announcing the arrival of a new match-winner for Australia. The era of Healy may be concluding in ODIs, but as Voll’s century powerfully demonstrated, the future of Australian women’s cricket is dazzlingly bright.