Vaishnavi, Prasad power India A to thumping win over Australia A

Vaishnavi Sharma's nine-wicket match haul combined with Niki Prasad's solid all-round effort handed India A women a comfortable 281-run win over Australia A women in the unofficial Test in Mohali.

Vaishnavi followed her six-wicket haul in the first innings with 3 for 58 in the second as Australia A, chasing 446, were bowled out for 164 in 76 overs late on the third day. Prasad, meanwhile, picked up 5 for 50 in the second innings and was named Player of the Match after she had an impact in the first innings, too, where she scored 91 and returned 2 for 27.

Resuming on 134 for 2, with an overall lead of 322, India A lost wickets in a burst early in the day. Tejal Hasabnis fell for a four-ball duck to Lilly Mills, who then removed Yastika Bhatia (46) and Tanisha Singh off successive balls. Frankie Nicklin then sent back Prasad as India A slipped to 156 for 6. But Anushka Sharma held firm, shepherding the lower-middle order with 48, while Vaishnavi smashed 24 off 14 balls to lift India A to 257.

A target of 446 was always expected to be an improbable ask but captain Rachel Trenaman and Tahlia Wilson got Australia A off to a good start, adding 51 runs for the opening wicket. But Wilson was run out for 28 and the Australia A chase collapsed in a heap.

Courtney Webb, Charli Knott and Anika Learoyd all bagged ducks, while Trenaman fell for 26 as Australia A slipped from 51 for 0 to 56 for 5 in 7.1 overs.

When Prasad picked up Sianna Ginger and Milly Illingworth in quick succession, Australia A were left struggling on 80 for 8 with a massive defeat in sight. But Tess Flintoff and Mills delayed the inevitable with a 74-run stand for the ninth wicket.

Vaishnavi picked up her third wicket in the form of Mills before Flintoff became Prasad's fifth wicket, falling for 58 as Australia A were bowled out for 164.