Mets Announcer Torched Marlins Manager Over Mind-Boggling Move in Pete Alonso At-Bat

New York Mets TV play-by-play announcer Gary Cohen is one of the best in the game because he's never afraid to share how he feels about a moment or play. That was on display during New York's 10-5 win over Miami on Tuesday when he lit into Marlins manager Clayton McCullough over a mind-boggling move during Pete Alonso's at-bat in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Marlins intentionally walked Juan Soto to load the bases for Alonso in a one-run game. That move normally would be made to set up a possible double play and is something that has been done by managers since basically the start of baseball.

McCullough, however, decided to go a different route as he brought his infield in which, with one out, didn't make any sense to Cohen.

"And again they bring the infield in with the bases load and one out against Alonso," Cohen said. "What is going on? Why would they set up the double play and then not play for the double play? Something is eschew."

The Marlins also brought in their outfield and then watched as Alonso crushed a double to left center that emptied the bases.

Cohen was in disbelief after that, saying: "You see how shallow the center fielder was playing against Pete Alonso? What are you doing?"

Not the best strategy.

The Marlins dropped to 5-6 with the loss. The Mets are now 8-3.

Dodgers' Max Muncy Calls Out Padres' Antics Ahead of NLDS Game 3

There's plenty of bad blood between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres heading into Game 3 of the NLDS as the series shifts to Petco Park.

In the aftermath of a contentious Game 2, Max Muncy detailed one aspect of the NL West rivalry that's been rather prevalent during the Division Series. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Muncy called out the Padres for their showboating antics and noted how they play off the emotion of the home crowd.

"Just something as simple as a single and you see a guy throw the bat 30 feet in the air," Muncy said. "That really gets the crowd going here. That is kind of part of their game, trying to get under your skin and trying to have the emotion come out. Trying to get you to do something that you're not normally doing.

"For example, if you're a pitcher and you see a guy doing that and all of a sudden you want to throw harder, and now you're missing balls right over the plate. And that's where their guys are doing the damage. … You can't let that happen."

San Diego's stars have never shied away from celebrating their successes, even if it comes at the expense of their opponents' feelings. Muncy suggested that's just part of their identity.

The first two games of the series were anything but cordial. During Game 2, fans at Dodger Stadium caused a brief delay after throwing a pair of baseballs in the direction of Jurickson Profar during the middle of the seventh inning. They then proceeded to litter the outfield grass with trash nearby Fernando Tatis Jr.

Jack Flaherty and Manny Machado could also be seen in a war of words throughout the game, another example of the distaste these franchises have for one another.

Muncy is hoping the extracurriculars don't distract the Dodgers from focusing on picking up a win in Game 3 in front of a pro-Padres crowd.

PSG's Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal highlight stacked FIFPRO Men's World 11 as Inter Miami's Lionel Messi misses out

The FIFPRO Men's World 11 was revealed Monday, with Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele highlighting the side, but there no place for Inter Miami's Lionel Messi for just the second time in nearly 20 years. Five players from PSG's Champions League winning team, including goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, were named to the squad, which is voted for by players.

  • FIFPRO

    A squad full of talent

    The 2025 squad is composed of some of the brightest talents in Europe, and features representatives from four of Europe's big five leagues:

    Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarruma PSG
    Defender Achraf Hakimi PSG
    Defender Virgil Van Dijk Liverpool
    Defender Nuno Mendes PSG
    Midfielder  Vitinha PSG
    Midfielder Pedri Barcelona
    Midfielder Jude Bellingham Real Madrid
    Midfielder Cole Palmer Chelsea
    Forward Lamine Yamal Barcelona
    Forward Ousmane Dembele PSG
    Forward  Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid
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  • (C)Getty images

    PSG lead the way

    The Parisians, unsurprisingly, lead the way, with five of the club's starting XI of the Champions League winning side honored. They might have had more, too. Centerback Marquinhos and midfielder Joao Neves were both nominated – but neither cracked the side.

    Winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was a surprise omission from the list of nominees, which was released in October. Barcelona and Real Madrid were next on the list, with two players apiece, voted in by their peers.

    Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal became the youngest-ever player named in the Men’s World 11, and Chelsea's Cole Palmer is one of six debutants.

    "Being part of the FIFPRO World 11 is obviously a great honor and to be voted by the other players is a nice feeling," said Palmer. "They know what it takes, obviously, to play the game at a high level, so to be voted by them is the best feeling."

  • Getty Images Sport

    No room for Lionel Messi

    The headline omission was Messi. The Argentine missed the 2024 squad, as well, after making it for 17 straight years. He figured to have an outside shot after being nominated and shortlisted this year, but was unable to crack the team.

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    Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah among high profile omissions

    Other absentees were perhaps more surprising. Mohamed Salah wasn't included in the World 11, despite leading the Premier League in both goals and assists – and also leading Liverpool to the title.

    Cristiano Ronaldo received a nomination, but was not in the team. Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander Arnold and Raphinha – despite being considered a Ballon d'Or candidate for much of the season – also missed out. 

Rangers star was "like the best of Zidane", now he's worse than Barron

Glasgow Rangers head coach Russell Martin would have been the most relieved man in the ground when Max Aarons scored the winner in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

The Ibrox side avoided a sixth game without a win to start the top-flight season thanks to the substitute’s last-gasp strike from Nicolas Raskin’s corner.

It was far from a perfect performance from Rangers, hence why they needed a stoppage-time winner, but there were some positives to take from the match.

Connor Barron’s emergence in the middle of the park was one of those positives, as the Scotland international showed that he is ready to stand up and fight for a place in the team.

How Connor Barron made himself undroppable against Livingston

At least for the time being, the former Aberdeen star has made himself undroppable in the Premiership because of his workman-like display against Livingston on Sunday.

Barron’s constant pressing and harrying of the opposition made life difficult for the hosts and helped the Gers to gain control of the game, particularly in the first half.

The young ace made six ball recoveries, without getting dribbled past once, and played six passes into the final third, per FotMob, which shows that he worked hard to win the ball back and was progressive in his passing.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast’s ‘First Impressions’ series has everything you need.

This is why Barron is currently undroppable, as his work rate, defending, and progressive passing have made him a valuable member of the side. It is also why he is currently an even better option than a star who was once compared to Zinedine Zidane.

The Rangers star who is even worse than Connor Barron

Mohamed Diomande was an unused substitute in the 2-1 win over Livingston just days after he was sent off in the 1-0 loss to Genk in the Europa League at Ibrox on Thursday night.

The Ivorian midfielder’s form has dropped off in the 2025/26 campaign, just months after being compared to Zidane by Turkish legend and TV pundit Nihat after the 3-1 win against Fenerbahce in the Europa League in March.

After an assist and five out of eight ground duels won for the midfielder, per Sofascore, Nihat said: “Mohamed Diomande was brilliant – like the best of Zinedine Zidane – thank God they substituted him.”

Diomande, who was linked with a move to Besiktas in the summer, has been unable to carry his impressive from last season over to the current campaign, as he has been outperformed by Barron in the Premiership.

Appearances

4

5

Sofascore rating

6.73

6.38

Tackles per game

1.8

1.4

Clearances per game

1.0

0.2

Duels won per game

3.8

3.4

Ground duel success rate

52%

49%

Aerial duel success rate

40%

17%

As you can see in the table above, the Scottish midfielder has been far more strong and reliable to the team in the middle of the park in comparison to the left-footed ace.

On top of his struggles in the Premiership, Diomande was, as aforementioned, shown a red card against Genk and will be unable to bounce back in Europe against Sturm Graz on Thursday.

The Light Blues and Martin need the Ivorian star to get back to being like Real Madrid legend Zidane again, because he is currently underperforming and finds himself behind Barron, who has been an unusued substitute on six occasions this season, in the pecking order.

Hopefully, the red card against Genk will provide Diomande with a bit of time to recharge and come back into the team with a point to prove, starting with the game against Falkirk on Sunday.

Better than Aarons: Rangers star may have just saved Russell Martin's job

This Rangers star who was even better than Max Aarons may have saved Russell Martin’s job.

ByDan Emery Sep 28, 2025

PCB retains four out of five selectors for men's team

The PCB has quietened speculation about wholesale changes to the current selection committee, with four of the five men retaining their posts. These are Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Aaqib Javed and former umpire Aleem Dar.The only change is Usman Hashmi replacing Hassan Cheema as the data analyst. Unlike Cheema, Hashmi will not be a voting member and will only assist the selection committee.Reports of significant changes, or even a complete disbanding, of the committee were widespread enough for the PCB to issue a statement denying it. Notably, the statement also appeared to open the door for the head coach and the captain to begin having a say – if not an explicit voting right – on matters of selection. “The selection committee is bound to discuss with the head coach and captain of [the respective] formats before finalising the team,” the statement said.In October, when the selection committee was announced, the PCB revoked the captain and coach’s right to vote on selection matters, leading to some frustration. It was given voice most notably by Jason Gillespie, Pakistan’s Test coach then, who complained he had been reduced to the role of “match-day analyst”, stating it was “not what [he had] signed up for”. Both he and white-ball coach Gary Kirsten exited in the following weeks.That there was no significant change to the committee is almost notable in itself, given the frequency with which the PCB has changed the selectors in recent years. Since August 2021, Pakistan has used 26 different selectors for the men’s national side.Pakistan’s next international assignment is in July, when they travel to Bangladesh for a T20I series.

Pahalgam attack: Black armbands, no cheerleaders or fireworks at SRH vs MI game

The BCCI will express its condolences to the families of the Pahalgam victims in various ways during the IPL 2025 game in Hyderabad tonight

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Apr-2025The players of the two participating teams – Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Mumbai Indians (MI) – will observe a minute of silence before the start of their IPL 2025 game in Hyderabad later today and also wear black armbands as a mark of respect for the victims of Tuesday’s terror attack in Pahalgam in Kashmir.There will also be no cheerleaders or fireworks at the ground, as has been the norm in the IPL.The BCCI will express its condolences to the families of the victims in various ways during the game. It will start with the minute of silence, which will begin following an announcement over the ground’s PA system, to “ensure the in-stadium audience and broadcast viewers are aware and can participate in the tribute”.Following this, at the toss, both the team captains will pay respect to the victims and condemn the terror attack, and black armbands will be worn by all the players, match officials, commentators and support staff. Broadcast commentators have also been instructed to “inform viewers about the significance of the black armbands and speak about the tragic incident and its impact”.On Tuesday, a terror attack in the hill station of Pahalgam claimed the lives of many people – 26 by the last count – and injured many others.Devajit Saikia, the BCCI secretary, has said in a statement on Wednesday, “The cricketing community is deeply shocked and anguished by the tragic loss of innocent lives in the gruesome terror attack at Pahalgam yesterday. On behalf of the BCCI, while condemning this ghastly and cowardly act with strongest possible words, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the departed souls. In sharing their pain and grief, we stand hand in hand at this hour of tragedy.”

Chelsea hold concrete interest in £35m Barcelona star with same agent as Delap

Chelsea now hold a concrete interest in signing a “spectacular” Barcelona player, who has the same agent as Liam Delap, it has been revealed.

Blues making plans for 2026 after busy summer window

The Blues have spent extremely heavily under BlueCo ownership, with Football FanCast recently detailing some of their most expensive signings, which includes the likes of Moises Caicedo, who cost £115m, while Enzo Fernandez set them back £107m.

As expected, the west Londoners were once again extremely active in the summer transfer window, spending a whopping €328.15m (£285m), although they balanced the books with a number of big sales.

New signing

Cost

Joao Pedro

£55m

Jamie Gittens

£49m

Alejandro Garnacho

£40m

Jorrel Hato

£38m

Liam Delap

£30m

Estevao

£29m

Dario Essugo

£19m

Mamadou Sarr

£12m

Kendry Paez

£9m

Facundo Buonanotte

£2m (loan fee)

However, despite making several key additions to the squad, Enzo Maresca may feel more arrivals will be required in January, given that a new centre-back was not brought in following the injury blow to Levi Colwill.

Not only that, but it has now been revealed that Chelsea missed out on another target in the final stages of the January transfer window, with Fabrizio Romano telling GiveMeSport they made a late approach to sign Barcelona midfielder Femin Lopez.

A €40m (£35m) offer was made for Lopez, which was knocked back by the Spanish club, but the 22-year-old could still end up at Stamford Bridge in the future, with Romano detailing the Blues hold a concrete interest.

FC Barcelona'sFerminLopezis presented with the MVP trophy after the match

That said, it could be difficult to get a deal over the line, given that the Spaniard wants to stay at the Camp Nou, as Barca are his boyhood club, and he is held in very high regard by his current employers.

"Spectacular" Lopez could be Buonanotte upgrade

The signing of Buonanotte can perhaps be viewed as a little strange, with the 20-year-old arriving on loan from Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion, and he has since been omitted from Chelsea’s Champions League squad.

Chelsea's last five loan signings prove Buonanotte is doomed to fail

It feels like Chelsea have made a mistake signing Buonanotte.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 4, 2025

That is despite the fact the youngster stated playing in Europe’s elite competition was a factor behind choosing to move to Stamford Bridge, saying: “Of course, I’ll get the opportunity to play in the Champions League for the first time, which will be a great challenge.

“I’m really looking forward to this season and hopefully I can help the club to achieve its goals.”

Unlike Buonanotte, who is yet to establish himself at the top level, having been relegated with Leicester City last season, Lopez has already proven himself at Barcelona, chipping in with eight goals and ten assists in all competitions in the 2024-25 campaign.

Not only that, but the Barca academy graduate, who is represented by the same agent as Delap, has also received high praise from former manager Xavi in the past, who lauded him for his “spectacular mentality”, which suggests he could be an instant upgrade on Buonanotte in attacking midfield.

Gujarat Giants look for top-order runs and first win in Bengaluru

Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, want runs from their middle order

Vishal Dikshit24-Feb-2025

Beth Mooney hasn’t been able to score too quickly at the start this WPL•BCCI

Who’s playingDelhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, 7.30pm ISTWhat to expect – contrasting powerplays and middle oversEven though Delhi Capitals have had a better squad on paper over the years and Gujarat Giants have relied a bit too much on their overseas contingent for a poor overall record in WPL, only two points separate them right now in the fledgling stages of the 2025 season. DC have won half their games so far whereas Giants have points from just one out of three, and even though the sample sizes are small, both teams have shown holes in their performances which they will hope don’t get compounded as the season progresses.DC, to start with, have had strong powerplays thanks to their prolific opening pair of Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma. It’s in the middle overs (7-16) where they have failed to take off from the platform set for the middle order. DC have not only lost the most wickets (18) in that stage, they have also been the slowest (6.67) in those 10 overs that has led to them being bowled out twice already.Related

Chinelle Henry lights up Chinnaswamy with Andre Russell-inspired 'range hitting'

Stats – Henry smashes joint-fastest fifty in the WPL, Harris third to take a hat-trick

Henry's onslaught, Harris and Goud's dream spells get Warriorz off the mark

In their last game, which they lost to UP Warriorz, DC’s all-international bowling attack also leaked 12 wides, something they “are looking to really tighten up,” according to head coach Jonathan Batty.Giants, contrastingly, have had to bank on their middle order despite having two reputed international names in Laura Wolvaardt and Beth Mooney at the top. Giants have managed to score at just run a ball in the powerplay, with Wolvaardt striking at 80 and Mooney at 104.16, which has mounted pressure on the prolific Ashleigh Gardner and hard-hitting Deandra Dottin. Giants could not only do with a quicker start against arguably the most potent attack in the league, but they would also love for some runs from their Indian contingent of D Hemalatha and Simran Sheikh, who have scored just 27 runs off 36 balls together this season. What will perhaps boost their confidence is that DC are having their worst season with the ball so far in the powerplay, leaking 8.41 runs an over compared to 6.51 last year and 5.74 the in 2023.Team news and likely XIsDespite coming on the back of a loss, DC have a solid XI and may not feel the need to tinker unless they want to bring in left-arm spinner Radha Yadav for offspinner Minnu Mani as Giants have only one left-hand batter in their top seven.Delhi Capitals (probable): 1 Meg Lanning (capt), 2 Shafali Verma, 3 Jemimah Rodrigues, 4 Marizanne Kapp, 5 Annabel Sutherland, 6 Sarah Bryce (wk), 7 Niki Prasad, 8 Jess Jonassen, 9 Shikha Pandey, 10 Arundhati Reddy, 11 Minnu Mani/Radha YadavIf Giants want to replace Hemalatha at No. 3, their only Indian option is Bharti Fulmali.Gujarat Giants (probable): 1 Laura Wolvaardt, 2 Beth Mooney (wk), 3 Dayalan Hemalatha/Bharti Fulmali, 4 Ashleigh Gardner (capt), 5 Harleen Deol, 6 Deandra Dottin, 7 Simran Shaikh, 8 Kashvee Gautam, 9 Tanuja Kanwar, 10 Sayali Satghare, 11 Priya MishraPlayers to watch: Meg Lanning and Priya MishraClosing in on 800 runs, Meg Lanning is the most prolific batter in WPL, but she has looked far from her best this season. Barring her 69 against UPW, Lanning has struggled against the swinging new ball in both Vadodara and Bengaluru. What augurs well for her is she came into the WPL while averaging a healthy 51.14 for Victoria in the domestic one-daters last month which means she won’t be short on confidence.Legspinner Priya Mishra, who has played nine ODIs, has been among the top Indian performers this WPL. With five wickets under her belt so far, that places her on top of Giants’ charts; her scalps include Yastika Bhatia, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris and Deepti Sharma. Her pace variations through her flight and sliders have foxed batters so far and she will hope it continues on Tuesday too.Key stats Giants are yet to win a game at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. This will be their first game in Bengaluru this season and they lost all four there last season Teams batting first and second in Bengaluru have won one game each and the record in WPL 2024 in Bengaluru stood at 4-7 DC and Giants have been among the poorer fielding sides this season, having put down six and four chances each

Escalação do São Paulo: Nestor deve ser principal novidade em time titular que busca classificação na Sul-Americana

MatériaMais Notícias

De todos os jogadores do São Paulo, apenas dois deles já devem saber que estão com escalação garantida para o duelo das 19h (de Brasília) desta quinta-feira (8) contra o Tolima, no Morumbi, pela Copa Sul-Americana: o goleiro Rafael e o meia Nestor.

O camisa 11 deve ser a principal novidade nos titulares do Tricolor para o confronto. Totalmente recuperado de uma fadiga muscular no reto femoral direito que o tirou dos últimos quatro jogos, deverá começar como titular no meio-campo.

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+ Di Maria livre no mercado, Corinthians se distancia de dupla “apalavrada”… o Dia do Mercado!

Quem também deverá ser relacionado é o atacante Erison. Depois de voltar a trabalhar com o restante da equipe na segunda-feira (5), o jogador deu sinais de estar em recuperação avançada pelo estiramento em fibrose da coxa esquerda e voltou a trabalhar sem limitações. Não atua há 14 partidas.

Para o duelo ante o Tolima, o técnico Dorival Júnior vive um dilema. Isso porque o Tricolor assegura a classificação como líder do Grupo D com um triunfo diante do rival. Entretanto, por outro lado, o desgaste pode ser prejudicial para o clássico contra o Palmeiras, às 16h (de Brasília) de domingo (11), no Morumbi, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. Após a derrota para o Grêmio, de virada, no último final de semana, se recuperar ante um rival se torna fundamental para evitar que o clima de otimismo se transforme em crise.

Por conta disso, todo planejamento é fundamental para as decisões que Dorival irá tomar nos próximos jogos. Titular ou reservas? Ou um ‘mistão’? O esquema com três zagueiros utilizado em Porto Alegre (RS) pode voltar a ser usado, até como forma de aperfeiçoamento ante um adversário mais frágil, como o Tolima?

Dúvidas e mais dúvidas que o treinador não quis dar nenhuma pista para antecipar respostas.

– Temos que ter uma equipe forte no próximo fim de semana (contra o Palmeiras), mas temos que ter uma equipe muito bem preparada para o meio de semana, que será um jogo decisivo, que poderá nos dar a classificação e a possibilidade de uma ida às fases mais importantes da Copa
Sul-Americana. Para nós, o jogo será decisivo. Podem ter certeza de que voltaremos a fazer um grande jogo perante o nosso torcedor e vamos buscar o melhor resultado – disse Dorival, após a derrota para o Grêmio.

Nos trabalhos desta quarta-feira (7), no CT da Barra Funda, após um vídeo no auditório, os jogadores seguiram para o gramado, onde realizaram um aquecimento sob a supervisão da preparação física.

Na sequência, o técnico Dorival Júnior e seus auxiliares comandaram três atividades diferentes. A primeira, de parte técnica, teve como objetivo aprimorar a troca de passes, os cruzamentos e as finalizações para o gol. A segunda, tática, teve foco na movimentação e posicionamento da equipe. E por último houve um treino de bolas paradas ofensivas e defensivas.

O provável São Paulo para enfrentar o Tolima vem com Rafael; Rafinha (Nathan), Arboleda (Diego Costa), Beraldo e Caio; Pablo Maia, Gabriel Neves e Nestor; Alisson (Wellington Rato), Luciano (Marcos Paulo) e Calleri.

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

+ Clique aqui e veja como apostar no Brasileirão

+ Confira os jogos e classificação resultados da Sul-Americana-23 na tabela do LANCE!

Voll, Perry centuries and Sutherland four-for seal series for Australia

Voll continued her stunning rise in the international arena while Perry produced a vintage knock

Tristan Lavalette07-Dec-2024Georgia Voll smashed a maiden century to continue her stunning rise in the international arena, while Ellyse Perry produced a vintage knock, as Australia clinched the ODI series after a crushing 122-run victory over India at the Allan Border Field.Australia posted 371 for 8, their third-highest total in ODIs, and it proved more than enough despite some belated fight from India on a benign surface in searing heat.India’s batting order equipped themselves much better than in game one when they were rolled for 100 with Richa Ghosh’s move to the top of the order paying off with an attractive half-century.But India never came close to pulling off a monumental chase and lost wickets regularly to be dismissed for 249 in the 45th over with opener Priya Punia unable to bat after suffering a niggle in the field. Their slim hopes effectively ended when captain Harmanpreet Kaur fell to quick Megan Schutt for 38 off 42 balls in the 28th over.India fined for slow over rate

India were fined 10% of their match fee for maintaining a slow over rate in Brisbane. Match Referee David Gilbert imposed the sanction after India were found two overs short when time allowances were taken into consideration. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur pleaded guilty and accepted the penalty, so there was no formal hearing.

India will rue a ragged performance with the ball and in the field as their dreams of a first series victory over Australia in Australia in ODIs ended in familiar disappointment.With the home team having comfortably won the series opener by five wickets at the same venue, Australia’s top order decimated India’s flagging attack after electing to bat. Voll, who has replaced injured captain Alyssa Healy for the series, ignited Australia and backed up her unbeaten 46 on debut by blasting 101 off 87 balls to underline her rich form after an eye-catching WBBL.Her belligerent hitting was on full display, clubbing 12 fours in total, and she combined in a 130-run opening partnership with fellow 21-year-old Phoebe Litchfield, who scored 60 off 63 balls. While Australia’s young stars provided another glimpse of the future, Perry wound back the clock with stunning power-hitting as she became the fourth women’s player from her country to pass 4000 ODI runs.Perry put the finishing touches with 105 off 75 balls, marked by an Australian record of six sixes, while Beth Mooney scored 56 of 44.In oppressive Brisbane heat reaching 35 degrees celsius, India were helpless although debutant offspinner Minnu Mani had an encouraging all-round performance with two wickets and an unbeaten 46 from 45 balls.Australia captain Tahlia McGrath resisted the temptation to bowl first and their batters had to front up in potentially tricky early conditions with the match starting at 9.45am local time.India’s new-ball bowlers Renuka Singh, who hustled Australia in game one with three wickets, and Saima Thakor hoped to conjure swing and make early breakthroughs before the peak heat of the day. But they bowled too full and runs flowed when Litchfield smashed a four on the second delivery before Voll took over with four fours in six balls to get Australia off to a flier.Litchfield did have a slice of luck on 5 after mis-hitting Thakor to mid-on only for Punia to spill a chance diving forward. It proved costly as Harmanpreet turned to the spin of Deepti Sharma and Priya Mishra within the powerplay but to no avail.Voll’s maturity continued to impress as she used her feet superbly against the spinners but made sure she didn’t overhit. Her driving was also a feature as she reached her half-century in 43 balls.Litchfield had been largely overshadowed before igniting her innings with well-executed reverse sweeps to roll to a 58-ball 50. They were totally untroubled until Voll was deceived on 64 by a superb googly from Mishra, who impressed late in game one, and given out lbw before successfully reviewing with ball-tracking suggesting it would miss leg stump.India were finally rewarded in the next over when Litchfield hit Thakor straight to cover, but the respite was fleeting with Perry in an aggressive mood as she unfurled her trademark lofted drive to devastating effect. Voll cruised towards a century with her only scare being on 86 when she was almost run out by a direct hit from Mani after attempting a quick single, but grounded her bat in the nick of time.It wasn’t long before Voll flicked Mani to the leg side to bring up her century as she calmly raised her bat and helmet with her proud mother beaming amid the applause in the terraces. Voll could not power on after she edged behind a wide delivery from Thakur, but Perry took over with a flawless century off 72 balls having earlier notched 7000 runs across formats in international cricket.Perry was eventually bowled by Deepti and her wicket triggered a late collapse, but Australia still easily surpassed the previous ground record of 325 for a women’s ODI.With Punia unable to bat, India rejigged their batting order and Ghosh, who batted at No. 6 in the first ODI, made a bright start by whacking Schutt to the boundary on the third delivery. But India’s hopes quickly crashed when opener Smriti Mandhana was bowled off the inside edge from quick Kim Garth and Australia’s disciplined attack kept the run rate under control despite the efforts of Ghosh.Legspinner Alana King ended Ghosh’s 72-ball 54 by bowling her around the legs as the pressure fell on Harmanpreet, who had started with a first ball boundary and she also clubbed a short ball from McGrath over the ropes. But Harmanpreet fell in the 28th over and the result was a formality despite late fight from Jemimah Rodrigues, who smacked 43 off 39 balls, and Mani.Annabel Sutherland claimed the spoils with 4 for 38 as Australia continued a satisfying return to the field following their T20 World Cup disappointment.

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