IND W VS AUS W 5TH T20I

Right then, that's all from the fifth and final game of the five-match T20I series between Australia Women and India Women. The trophy is handed over to the stand-in skipper Tahlia McGrath and she hands it over to her teammates. Australia Women players are all smiles posing with the trophy. They win the series 4-1 and now shift focus to the three-match ODI series against Pakistan Women at home. The first game will take place on 16th January, Wednesday at 5.35 am IST (12.05 am GMT). On the other hand, India Women will be back in action in a T20I Tri-series with West Indies Women and South Africa Women. Their first match will be played on 19th January, Thursday at 10.30 pm IST (5 pm GMT). As always, you can join us in advance for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Tahlia McGrath, the stand-in skipper of Australia Women, says that it is always a great battle with India and this series was also a good one. Adds that the power game is impressive to watch and credits Ashleigh Gardner and Grace Harris for their performance. Mentions that they pride themselves in playing fearless cricket and they did that. Ends by acknowledging the huge crowd that came in to watch the games.

Ashleigh Gardner is the Player of the Match and the Player of the Series. She says that she is enjoying her cricket and reaping the benefits of it on the field. Adds that Grace Harris took the pressure off her and it was easy batting with her. Shares that she does more range hitting when she is out of form and feels that it is all about maintaining the shape while hitting the ball.

Harmanpreet Kaur, the skipper of India Women, says that they were good with the bowl in the Powerplay but after that failed to execute the plans. Adds that there were a lot of learnings from this series and tells that the next thing for India Women is to improve their power game. Tells that the Aussie batters were clearing the fence with ease and they want that aspect to be added to their game. Ends by saying that they have Tri-series before the T20 World Cup and will try to do well and go into the tournament with good momentum.

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Heather Graham is in for a flash interview. She says that it was a bit of a weird game and she is lost for words. Adds that their bowlers gave them a good start and it made it easy for her to come in and bowl. Mentions that she did not realise it was a hat-trick delivery and decided to go for the on-pace delivery. Tells that this series has been amazing for them and will give them more confidence going into the next series and then the T20 World Cup.

Earlier in the game, having put in to bat first, Australia Women lost both Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield inside the first three overs. Despite both openers being back in the hut, Tahlia McGrath and Ellyse Perry kept the scoreboard ticking with a 38-run partnership. However, the departure of both batters meant Australia Women were under the pump at 67-4 near the halfway mark. Ashleigh Gardner and Grace Harris resurrected the innings with some clean hitting. Both batters notched their fifties and stitched an unbeaten 129-run stand to get Australia Women to a daunting total. In the second half of the game, their bowlers stepped up while defending the total and completed a clinical job.

Having leaked a lot of runs towards the back end of the innings, India Women needed their openers to start well and get them off to a solid start. However, they lost Smriti Mandhana in the first over and Shafali Verma followed her back into the hut soon. Harleen Deol did get off to a good start but her run-out made matters worse for India Women. After her departure, no other batter was able to get going and with the huge target in front, India Women were always facing an uphill task. Despite Deepti Sharma scoring a fifty towards the end, India Women fell short by 54 runs.

A comprehensive win for Australia Women! A clinical performance with both bat and ball sees Australia Women win this encounter and end the series with a 4-1 scoreline. While defending a challenging total, Darcie Brown set the tone early by dismissing Smriti Mandhana in the first over. They kept the pressure on by taking wickets at regular intervals which did not allow the opposition batters to gather any momentum. Deepti Sharma did trouble them towards the end by scoring a fifty but by then the match result was a mere formality. Heather Graham was the star with the ball with figures of 4 for 8 including a hat-trick from her two overs. Ashleigh Gardner chipped in with a couple of wickets while Tahlia McGrath, Annabel Sutherland and Darcie Brown took a wicket each.

OUT! TAKEN! Heather Graham gets her fourth wicket and India Women have been bowled out here. This is on a good length and outside off, Deepti Sharma skips down the track and goes for the heave, but slices it up in the air. Ashleigh Gardner from covers runs backwards and takes a nice catch. Australia Women win by 54 runs and takes the series 4-1!

FOUR! FIFTY FOR SHARMA! She has been the lone warrior for India Women! This is a touch fuller and on leg, Deepti Sharma goes down and sweeps it towards the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

On a length and on leg, Rajeshwari Gayakwad clips it through square leg for a single.

Full again and on off, Rajeshwari Gayakwad pushes it back to the bowler.

Full and on off, Rajeshwari Gayakwad blocks it back to the bowler.

Rajeshwari Gayakwad walks in to bat.

OUT! TIMBER! HAT-TRICK FOR GRAHAM! All the Australia Women player come in to congratulate her. She bowls this full and on middle, Renuka Singh goes back to play at it, but does so down the wrong line as the ball goes through to rattle the stumps. Australia Women one wicket away from victory now.

Heather Graham will bowl the final over.