Australia have lost the women’s T20 series against India, falling 17 runs short in Adelaide on Saturday night in a match that also marked Ellyse Perry’s 350th international appearance.
India sealed the three match series 2-1 after posting 176 for 6, then holding Australia to 159 for 9 in the series decider at Adelaide Oval.
Smriti Mandhana led India’s innings with 82 off 55 balls. She put on 121 runs with Jemimah Rodrigues who made 59 off 46. Their stand turned the game after India lost an early wicket.
Australia’s chase went off track early as wickets fell quickly that included Perry, bowled for 1 in her milestone match.
Ashleigh Gardner tried to pull Australia back with 57 off 45 but India’s spinners kept the pressure on through the middle and late overs.
Off spinner Shreyanka Patil took 3 for 22 and left arm spinner Shree Charani took 3 for 32 as India finished the win and celebrated a rare series win in Australia.
Sophie Molineux, Australia captain, said post match, “We lost some pretty important wickets at the wrong time.”
The result ended Australia’s run of seven straight T20 series wins and gave them their first home T20 series loss since 2017.
Perry’s 350th match highlighted how long she has stayed at the top level. The all rounder became the first Australian woman to reach the mark across formats.
The multi format tour now moves to the one day series, starting in Brisbane on Tuesday. Alyssa Healy is set to return for the ODI and Test legs before retiring at the end of the home summer.
Australia lose T20 series to India in Adelaide, falling 17 runs short as Ellyse Perry marks her 350th international match.
