Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner propel Australia to series victory

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Australia 188 for 3 (Perry 72*, Gardner 42, Healy 30 retd hurt, Deepti 2-35) beat India 181 for 5 (Harmanpreet 46, Richa 40*, Vaidya 32, Gardner 2-20, King 2-23) by seven runs

If her swashbuckling 47-ball 75 on Wednesday wasn’t proof enough that she is well and truly back, Ellyse Perry kicked it up a notch with a classy 72 not out as Australia beat India by seven runs and took an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match T20I series being played in Mumbai. This, despite a late flourish from Richa Ghosh, who caused a few flutters in the Australia camp in the end.

After losing Alyssa Healy to a calf injury and Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath falling cheaply, Australia seemed to be losing their way in the first half of their innings, managing only 73 in their first 11 overs. However, Perry, supported in equal measure by Ashleigh Gardner and Grace Harris, took Australia to 188 for 3, clobbering 115 runs in the final nine overs

India then lost wickets at regular intervals to slip in the chase. However, Harmanpreet Kaur and later Richa provided the hosts with a semblance of chance. Needing 38 to win off the last two overs, Richa smashed two sixes and a four to get the equation down to 20 off six. Deepti Sharma hit a couple more fours, but 189 was too steep a mountain to climb.

An injury and two strikes
The final total notwithstanding, Australia seemed to be in a spot of bother mid-way through their innings. While Healy started in fifth gear, Mooney struggled with her timing. She only managed a mere 2 off 8 balls before mis-hitting Deepti to mid-on. Healy though remained unfussed. She struck six fours in her 21-ball 30, and just when it seemed to be her night, she sprained her calf muscle and had to retire hurt at the end of the sixth over. McGrath fell soon after and despite Perry smashing the first ball she faced for a six, the India bowlers seemed to be all over the visitors. Australia only managed three boundaries between the seventh and the 11th over, and faced 29 dot balls in the first 11 overs with the run rate less than seven.

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