IT was Australia’s young talent and their more experienced core that took hold at Allan Border Field in Brisbane, taking the win by five wickets in the first game of the series.

In her first game, all-rounder Georgia Voll (46 off 42 balls) was instrumental in the run chase, while at the other end of the spectrum, it was one of the best Australian women’s bowlers Megan Schutt that was crucial, as India were bowled out for just 100 runs inside 35 overs.

In the bowling innings, it was swing bowler Schutt (5-19 off 6.2 overs) that captured some of her career-best figures, producing her first five wicket haul in One Day International cricket.

Joining her in bringing about dismissals were Kim Garth (1-20 off eight), Ash Gardner (1-14 off seven), Annabel Sutherland (1-13 off five) and Alana King (1-18 off five).

The new opening pair of Smriti Mandhana (eight off 10) and Priya Punia (three off 16) were not a success this game, being successfully quelled by the opening Australian duo of Schutt and Garth.

From first drop to the middle order, it started to look better for India. Harleen Deol (19 off 34) and Harmanpreet Kaur (17 off 31) tried to get things going before being dismissed while not troubling the bowlers with their striking.

After those two wickets fell, the last of the recognised batting options came in and were dismissed subsequently, with Jemimah Rodrigues (23 off 42) and Richa Ghosh (14 off 35) being left to do too much. After Rodrigues was dismissed, India lost their remaining wickets for just 11 runs.

India’s underwhelming 100 run total was the second lowest ever when batting first against Australia, just demonstrating the performance from the Australian bowlers further.

Coming into the side in place of their regular skipper Alyssa Healy, Voll debuted on her home ground, joining good friend Phoebe Litchfield in a taste of what Australia’s future batting line-up could look like.

They were on early, conjuring up a 48-run first wicket partnership before Litchfield was dismissed for 35 off 29. Australia looked a little worse for wear after the first wicket was brought about, with Voll the exception, holding down one end.

The Australians then slumped to 4-19, with Ellyse Perry (one run), Beth Mooney (one run), Annabel Sutherland (six) and Gardner (eight), all going cheaply. But it was the 21-year-old who was there at the end of the innings alongside current captain Tahlia McGrath to make the winning runs, doing so in just 16.2 overs.

She hit six fours and one six in her innings, showing the form she has shown in the WNCL and WBBL on the big stage, impressing spectators and her teammates alike.