So, that is it from this game and the multi-format series! It has been dominated by the hosts! The scoreline ended with 11-5 with the Aussies only losing one. We hope you enjoyed the coverage. Until next time, take care and goodbye!
Meg Lanning, the victorious skipper, is up for a chat. She says, they were looking forward to the the last game. They knew India would come hard at them and so they did, but she is glad the girls fought back and got over the line. Mentions, India really tested them and gave a tough challenge. Adds, Tahlia McGrath has been special and she is really proud of her. Thanks the efforts of Cricket Australia and all the health line workers to make sure the tour is possible.
Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of India Women is up for a chat. She says, she thinks they are on the right track and backs her players. Adds, they have proved themselves everytime they have come out on the pitch. Thanks the supports staff for their efforts behind the scenes. Adds that, she is excited for the Women’s Big Bash League and all the girls are looking forward to it.
Tahlia McGrath, Player of the match and Player of the series. She says it was an incredible series to be a part of. Adds that, it was certainly tough to bat across all formats but says she was lucky to get the runs on the board. Adds the things are really going well for her at the moment. Mentions, Mooney is really awesome to bat with. She recognised the situation, came down to me and said to keep her eyes on the ball.
... TIME FOR THE PRESENTATION ...
Earlier in the day, after electing to bowl, India had Australia on the back foot at 73 for 4. However, they let them off the hook by conceding far too many runs towards the back end. Courtesy Tahlia McGrath and Beth Mooney Australia got close to 150 which proved to be enough in the end.
The Australian bowlers were really good! They had to be, the target was not a big one and they needed to keep the Indians quiet initially. They bowled 6 good overs first up which build the pressure. There were overs in between where runs were leaked but they always managed to pick wickets which kept pushing India further behind in the game. Ashleigh Gardner was once again really good. Nicola Carey was also decent apart from that last over. Overall, it was a combined bowling effort and very good display in the field too.
Some really good hitting towards the end from Richa Ghosh but it was a little too late! We did mention India needed a good start from their openers but that was not the case as Shafali Verma fell early. Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana then took their time to get their eye in but the run rate needed kept on going up. When it was time to up the ante, Jemimah Rodrigues fell. Mandhana then along with Kaur revived the hopes. Mandhana got her fifty up but she needed to stay there right till the end. However, she fell immediately after that and then it was an uphill task for the batters coming in. Wickets then fell quickly, Richa Ghosh did strike a few meaty blows towards the end but to no avail.
In over# 20
4
6
6
1
0
4
Nicola Carey 42/2(4)
19.6
4
FOUR! SMACKED! Richa Ghosh ends the innings on a high. A length ball, outside off. Ghosh reaches out and slaps it through covers for a boundary. AUSTRALIA WOMEN WIN THE GAME BY 14 RUNS.
19.5
6
SIX! Back-to-back maximums! A little to late for India. But these are good signs for the Indian unit. A length ball, on off. Ghosh hangs back and smokes it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.
19.4
6
SIX! All the way! A length ball, on middle and off. Ghosh makes room and lifts it over long off for a maximum.
19.3
1
Full and on off. Sharma whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
19.2
.
Swing and a miss! On a length, outside off. Sharma looks to heave it away but misses.
19.1
4
FOUR! Nicely played! A length ball, on the pads. Sharma pulls it through square leg for a boundary.
In over# 19
1
1
1
1
0
1lb
Sophie Molineux 22/0(4)
18.6
1
Full and on middle. Sharma pushes it towards long on for a single.
18.5
1
Full and on off. Ghosh reverse sweeps it to cover for a single.