Tahlia Wilson stars as Australia A edges out India A by five runs in first T20

A rapid half-century by Tahlia Wilson was pivotal in their narrow five-run win over India A in the first T20 match of the multiformat series.

Wilson led the charge with a quick 50 off 33 balls during an opening partnership of 74 with Katie Mack. However, Australia A's innings faltered as they lost 5 wickets for 42 runs. Nicole Faltum and Maddy Darke then rallied, scoring 31 runs in the final two overs to set a challenging target of 164 runs.

India A struggled to keep up with the required run rate throughout their chase.

Although Priya Punia, who hit seven fours and three sixes, and Tanuja Kanwar added 64 runs for the third wicket, their progress was halted when Kanwar was outsmarted by Faltum, who stumped her off Maitlan Brown.

Despite Punia's best efforts, including hitting two sixes off Charli Knott, the run chase fell just short, with Punia being run out for 76.

Sophie Day was effective with the ball, giving away only 19 runs in her four overs, including just three in her final over.

With India A needing 16 runs off the last over, captain Tahlia McGrath managed to defend the target, conceding only a boundary to Sayali Satghare.

The teams will face off again at Allan Border Field for the second T20 on Friday, followed by the final T20 on Sunday. The series will continue with three one-day games in Mackay next week, concluding with a four-day match on the Gold Coast.