Poonam Yadav brought India into the match with a game-changing 12th over in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup opener against Australia in Sydney on Friday. Chasing 133 against India, Australia were cruising in the chase, courtesy Alyssa Healy's quick-fire half-century. The Aussie keeper-batswoman in fact brought up her fifty with a six off the Indian leg-spinner in the 10th over.
Pooman, hit back with a 'very slow' flighted delivery, which deceived Healy. A tossed up ball around off, Healy coming down the track looked to loft it but because of the slowness of the delivery, ended up chipping it back to the bowler. Poonam moved a little to her right and pouched it with ease. With that it was game on at the half-way mark.
Yadav's first victim in the 12th over was Rachel Haynes. It was once again the flighted delivery that struck gold for the Indian. Next to depart was Ellyse Perry. With two in two, Poonam Yadav was on fire.
In the hat-trick ball, Taniya Bhatia dropped a sitter off Jess Jonassen. It was a straightforward chance there as Poonam deceived another Jonassen with the flight which landed just outside off. Jonassen, drawn forward, edged it. Bhatia moved to her left but filed to hang on to it.
CARNAGE!
— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) February 21, 2020
3 straight wrong'uns from Poonam Yadav and she collects the wickets of Haynes and Perry, only to have keeper Bhatia drop the hat-trick catch!
AUS now 5/81 needing 52 from 42 | #AUSvIND live blog: https://t.co/Z8r7Q64Lzi#T20WorldCup #CmonAussie pic.twitter.com/C2yZAfTrvr
Australia were bundled out for 115 and India won by 17 runs. Poonam finished with figures of 4/19 from her spell.
"This is the third time I'm missing a hat-trick, but thanks to my physio and team-mates I've recovered (from injury). Hopefully, I get a hat-trick in the future", said Poonam receiving the Player of the Match award.
Watching Poonam Yadav spinning a web with her googlies reminds me of Sivamakrishnan bamboozling the Aussies in 1985. Men or women, spin is king! #INDvAUS
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) February 21, 2020
Gary Sobers used to say that Vinoo Mankad was the slowest slow bowler he had ever faced. Poonam Yadav must be even slower than the legendary Vinoobhai. Just as awesome though...
— cricketingview (@cricketingview) February 21, 2020