Southern Stars open with win
31/10/2008 6:19 PM
Australia's women's cricket team has cruised to victory in the opening match of its five-game series against India at Hurstville Oval on Friday.
Chasing a modest total of 183, Alex Blackwell (75 from 101 balls) and Lisa Sthalekar (73 from 69) helped the Southern Stars reach their target with 12 overs to spare.
Blackwell and Sthalekar put on 116 runs for the second wicket and although their partnership was broken late in the innings, skipper Karen Rolton strode to the crease and helped her side take the victory.
Earlier, a disciplined bowling performance from the Southern Stars helped contain India to 6-183 from its allotted 50 overs.
Delissa Kimmince (2-27), Emma Sampson (2-34) and Ellyse Perry (2-37) were the pick of the bowlers, while Jhulan Goswami top-scored for India with 46.
Game two of the series will be held at the SCG on Saturday, with the remaining games to be played next week.