Australia seal series after epic Mandhana ton

breathe. A rip-roaring game of cricket and a fitting end to a series between two very strong contenders for the upcoming Women's World Cup, which is now only ten days away. Plenty to look forward to then, and lots of cricket to keep an eye on in between, and all of the action can be followed on ESPNcricinfo, including this Super Four fixture between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Until next time, from Harshith, Sudarshanan, Vairavan and myself (Shashwat), it is goodbye!

Smriti Mandhana, Player of the Series: (Mindset chasing such a big score) The only thing is to not think about anything and just react to the ball, and hit the ball if it is in your area. The wicket was good, outfield was fast, so was just trying to play whatever was in my slot. Don't have a choice when chasing 413 runs, you have to play that brand of cricket. If we would have won the match and the series, would have been a lot more eventful. (On if she is doing anything differently) Nothing, just focussing on my routines, and keeping it very simple. Those are the two things I am doing - nothing I am doing differently.

Beth Mooney, Player of the Match: Looked like a really nice wicket. They (Perry and Voll) got us to a nice start, wanted to keep that momentum going. To be honest, we were just out there batting, building a partnership, picking off the bowlers when we could. We were aiming for 430-450 at one point, but then spiralled towards the end. Would have taken that at the start of the day. Nice to hold on at the back end, and with the ball as well. I want to contribute to the team. Playing in these conditions and understanding them is important. Hopefully the wickets are not flat and they do not feel like a T20 for 100 overs.

Alyssa Healy, Australia captain: That is one of the flattest wickets I have ever played on. Got advice it could be 400 versus 400 and it was nearly that. Got the result we wanted, which is the main thing. (Chat during break caused by Harmanpreet's injury) We spoke about this being a T20 and if we could approach this like a T20. If we could keep the boundaries out, we could create some false pressure that way and break through the middle order. Thankfully we did. Full credit to our girls for hanging in there. It has worked out that most people have gotten a run-in in this series. Feel we are in a really good place. We are well-placed and hopefully we can take that momentum (into the World Cup). You cannot defend a World Cup, you have to win it and beat every team. India played a fantastic series and they will be one to watch. Really looking forward to get stuck in (at the World Cup)

Harmanpreet Kaur, India captain: Not liking the fact that we are on the losing side but throughout the series, we played good cricket. Lots of learnings for us. Before heading to the World Cup, good series for us and we will take a lot of positives (from this series). (On the positives) Today, the way Deepti and Sneh batted. Even in the last game how Sneh batted - that shows we have depth in batting and we can play our shots and take risks in the middle. Fielding is something we are working hard on but unfortunately, we are still missing chances. We will sit and discuss - this is something that is costing us. (On possible team combination) Good thing is we have so many players now and we can try a lot of combinations whenever we need. World Cup is a long tournament and every team is different. Always about whoever is best for that particular day. It was a good series, we gave them (Australia) a tough series. Don't think they have gotten anything easy. It is a home World Cup, and we are excited. Hopefully we can give our best.

Hypocaust: "The most runs ever scored in a women's List A match, and neither team even batted the full overs. An extraordinary game."

9:10pm Take a bow, Australia. Take a bow, India. Take a bow, Smriti Mandhana. Take a bow, Deepti Sharma. And take a bow, cricket. A splendid game, and one that might take some beating. It had everything (apart from some help for the bowlers). Mandhana, knowing what she and her side was up against, produced one of the all-time great knocks. Her hundred came off just 50 balls and while she was at it, alongside her skipper, who also managed a brisk fifty, it felt India would mount the highest-ever run-chase in the women's game and do it with room to spare.

Both of them, though, fell close to each other and that thrust Deepti in as the protagonist. She tried her best, hitting boundaries regularly and shepherding the innings along with the lower order. But just as the finish line was dawning, she perished to McGrath and that sealed India's fate, despite doing almost everything they could to win it.

Australia, for a long time, were rattled and they looked anything but themselves. When push came to shove, though, McGrath produced a superb defensive spell that ultimately led to Deepti's dismissal. They also help their own and showed enough composure to hold their nerve and seal yet another series win.

Kim Garth: Not easy at all. I cannot remember if I have ever played a game of cricket (where I had to delve so deep into my plans). Two very good sides going at it. Credit to our bowling group to stick at it after a tough start. We had to go to our T20 plans pretty early to stop the bleed (of runs). Just being really clear with what we were trying to do and then executing it. (Pivotal moment that swung things their way) We took quick wickets in that period (after Harmanpreet's injury break). Grace got Mandhana and we managed to get Harman out as well. That was a big momentum swinger. I don't even know what to say - what a game of cricket. (How to bowl to Mandhana) I don't think I have worked it out just yet. She is in incredible form and is an incredible player. You know you have no time to get into your spell. Cannot miss your line and length. (On if she wants to take this pitch with her everywhere) No, thank you. I never want to play cricket in India ever again if that is the pitch I am playing on (laughs). I am kidding. I love playing cricket in India. Hopefully in the World Cup, we get some more bowler-friendly wickets.

46.6

W

Garth to Renuka Singh, OUT, There it is! India pushed and probed, they pressed and persevered, they rattled the Australian cage and then some, but in the end, India fall short of what would have been a historic night in women's cricket! This is a slower ball and like most batters in recent overs, Renuka does not pick it quick enough. She swings for the fences but her shot lacks the power to clear the fence. Voll charges in from long on and dives forward to snap up the chance. Australia are all smiles, and those smiles, apart from being of accomplishment, would be of relief. They put up a mountain of runs, but India, almost, scaled that peak!

Renuka Singh c Voll b Garth 2 (5m 4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50

46.5

0

Garth to Renuka Singh, no run, off-pace again, on a length outside off. Renuka does not know what to do with it and dabs it tamely towards short third

46.4

1

Garth to Goud, 1 run, slower ball on a length on the stumps. Goud gets forward and chips it a mile up. Long on comes around but Voll cannot reach it on the full

46.3

1

Garth to Renuka Singh, 1 run, full just outside off. Renuka plants her front foot and shanks it towards long on

46.2

1

Garth to Goud, 1 run, off-pace again, although this is fuller on the stumps. Goud backs away and hoicks it towards deep mid wicket

46.1

0

Garth to Goud, no run, slower ball on a back of a length on leg stump. Goud reads it off the pitch and has no option but to defend

END OF OVER:

46 | 2 Runs 1 Wkt | IND-W: 366/9 (47 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 7.95, RRR: 11.75)

• Kranti Goud6 (12b)
• Renuka Singh1 (1b)

• Megan Schutt7-1-53-2
• Kim Garth