Bacchus Off The Long Run
Once again, social obligations limited my ability to view vast chunks of this match. Although, happily, the social obligations were with cricket-loving folk, meaning that there was no need for surreptitious score checks on the phone. In fact, it was quite the reverse, as I would proudly announce a cricket update on the match and reveal goings-on for all in attendance.
And, sure, I did get to see a smidgen of play before being summoned away - most notably, Australia’s ongoing determination to fumble every chance offered by Smriti Mandhana. Not entirely sure why they’re sticking to this plan, but they’re professional cricketers, so I guess they know what they’re doing. Maybe they were encouraging Ash Gardner to take fielders out of the equation, bowl Smriti, and in the process, somehow trigger a collapse that was sufficient to substantially limit India’s target-setting. In which case, job well done, I guess.
Nevertheless, here’s what I missed, in limerick form.
Australia took chase, on a fine Hobart night
Healy out cheaply, a slight early fright
But Georgia and Phoebe
Saw that as a freebie
And sorted things out - hey, the kids are alright