vadodara: England all-rounder Ben Stokes pleaded not guilty on Monday via video link to a charge of affray over a nightclub incident that forced him out of the Ashes tour.
Opener Nicole Bolton struck an unbeaten 100 off 101 balls after Australian spinners bamboozled the Indian batting to set up a crushing eight-wicket win in the opening game of the three-match series, which is part of the ICC Women's Championship. Bolton's fourth ODI hundred ensured Australia reached a modest 201-run target in just 32.1 overs. The experienced Ellyse Perry (25 not out) hit the winning four.
India would have been bowled out for far less if it was not for the 76-run partnership between Sushma Verma (41) and Pooja Vastrakar (51) for the eighth wicket, helping them muster 200 in 50 overs.
Left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen led a stellar show from the Australian spinners, taking four wickets for 30 runs in 10 overs. Leggie Amanda-Jade Wellington picked up three wickets and Ashleigh Gardner removed Smriti Mandhana (12).
It was a sweet result for the visitors, who had lost to India in the World Cup semifinals. The second ODI will be played here on Thursday. India were dealt a big blow even before the start of the game with Mithali Raj ruled out due to illness.