Sianna Ginger picked four wickets which allowed Australia A to defend 144 runs and win the third T20 against India A by four runs at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay on Sunday.
Ginger removed the dangerous Shafali Verma, whose explosive start appeared to put India on course for the target despite the early wickets of Dinesh Vrinda and Uma Chetry.
Raghavi Bist and Minnu Mani added 48 runs for the fourth wicket which nearly served as the second wind that India needed. But Ginger once again got the crucial breakthrough and accounted for Bist. Mani fell six deliveries later, leaving India 28 runs short with four overs in hand.
But the lower middle-order, including captain Radha Yadav, fell for single-digit scores which meant India fell short of its destination. Prema Rawat’s eight-ball 12 came too late for India to salvage the chase.
Ginger played a part with the bat too, with her seven-ball 17 getting Australia to a par score. Madeline Penna was the highest scorer for the host (39 off 32) and recalibrated the innings after Australia found itself at an awkward 44 for three in the eighth over.
Alyssa Healy got off to a start but could not make it big after she was caught behind off Sajeevan Sajana on 27. Tahlia Wilson and Anika Learoyd fell in quick succession, needing Penna to revive Australia A.
For India, Prema and Radha bagged three wickets each.
