Litchfield's dream start continues as Aussies win series

Phoebe Litchfield’s dream start to her one-day international career has continued, with the teenage prodigy stroking a second unbeaten half-century to lead Australia to a 10-wicket victory over Pakistan at Allan Border Field.

Tearaway teenage quick Darcie Brown (3-32) led the way as Australia rolled through Pakistan for 125 in 43 overs, after Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof won the toss and opted to bat at Allan Border Field.

Litchfield, who hit 67 not out from 61 balls, and opening partner Beth Mooney (56no off 54) then navigated their way to the small target with ease, sealing a series win in just 19.2 overs.

Mooney set the tone with a boundary from the first ball of the innings, while second-gamer Litchfield took five balls to get off the mark but did so in style, driving for four.

Having announced herself at ODI level with an unbeaten 78 off 92 balls in Monday’s series opener, Litchfield continued to take to the green and gold like a duck to water.

The 19-year-old’s ever-increasing confidence was clear as she played with intent, driving and pulling her way to her half-century from 46 balls, and for the second time in three days, hit the winning runs for her country.

Mooney took longer to settle but flicked the switch with a pair of boundaries in the 13th and 14th overs, raising the bat for her own fifty off 49 deliveries.

For the second consecutive match Australia’s star-studded middle-order of Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath and Ashleigh Gardner were left sitting on the bench, but have one more chance to spend time in the middle with the series finale to be played in Sydney on Saturday.

Earlier, Australia's bowlers led by Brown ran through Pakistan, dismissing the tourists for 125 in 43 overs.

The tearaway quick was quickly in the action as she took the new ball alongside Australian debutant Garth, as Sidra Amin was caught behind for two in the second over.

Garth kept things tight at the other end, her first over was a maiden and her opening spell of five overs leaked just 12 runs.

That pressure paid off when Muneeba Ali (18 off 41) looked to attack Ashleigh Gardner in the 13th over, only to hole out to Ellyse Perry, who took a skillful running catch.

The introduction of Annabel Sutherland to the attack paid immediate dividends, she trapped Maroof lbw with her second delivery and while the Pakistan captain reviewed the decision, she was unsuccessful, forced to depart for a 46-ball 21.

From 3-60 matters only became worse when the return of Brown saw Omaima Sohail beaten for pace as she chopped on for 13, and in-form batter Nida Dar was cruelly run out at the non-striker’s end when Garth got a fingertip to a straight drive from Sidra Nawaz.

Pakistan’s final seven wickets fell for just 41 runs as they were bowled out in 43 overs, as Sutherland (2-13) and leg-spinner Alana King (2-25) cleaned up the tail.

Garth went wicketless but impressed with her figures of 0-13 from eight overs.

Once again the only real blemish for Australia was the extras column, with Pakistan gifted 21 extras including 16 wides.

Earlier, Garth was presented with cap No.149 by skipper Lanning as she was brought into the side in place of Megan Schutt, whose workload is being managed with a busy period ahead of the national side.

Pakistan were unchanged from the XI that lost by eight wickets in Monday's opening match.

Garth, 26, played 34 ODIs for Ireland between 2010 and 2018, before she made the tough call to walk away from her home nation to pursue life as a full-time domestic cricketer in Victoria in 2020.

Garth became eligible to represent Australia last September and her excellent form in both the WNCL and WBBL saw national selectors come calling for December’s tour of India.

Australia and Pakistan will now travel to Sydney ahead of the third and final ODI at North Sydney Oval on Saturday.

CommBank ODI Series

Monday Jan 16:Australia won by eight wickets (DLS method)

Wednesday Jan 18:Allan Border Field, Brisbane 11:05am AEDT

Saturday Jan 21:North Sydney Oval, 11:05am AEDT

Buy #AUSvPAK ODI tickets here

Australia ODI squad: Meg Lanning (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland

Pakistan ODI squad: Bismah Maroof (c), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Tuba Hassan