Australia women 260 for 9 (Perry 56, Bolton 43, Lanning 42, Daniels 3-53) beat South Africa women 217 (Lee 44, Luus 31, Perry 3-52) by 43 runs
Scorecard
Ellyse Perry gave Australia the impetus in the end overs © Getty Images
Ellyse Perry’s fifth successive fifty and a three-wicket haul helped Australia women successfully defend 260 in the fifth and final ODI against South Africa women in Coffs Harbour. They won by 43 runs to seal a 4-0 series win.
South Africa, reasonably well placed at 133 for 3, were bowled out for 217 in 48.3 overs. Opener Lizelle Lee’s 44 was the highest of the innings. Four other batsmen crossed 25, but threw away starts. Perry was complemented by medium pacer Grace Harris, who took 2 for 31.
South Africa’s decision to bowl first was somewhat negated by a strong start as Nicole Bolton (43) and captain Meg Lanning (42) set the platform. Sune Luus, the legspinner, then made an impact, both with her legspin and with her on-field exploits. She first sent back Lanning, effected a run-out to dismiss Alex Blackwell and then returned to dismiss Jess Jonassen (39).
But it was in between the run out and Jonassen’s dismissal that Australia drove ahead, courtesy Perry’s run-a-ball 56 in which she hit seven boundaries. The 78-run stand helped Australia claw back from a precarious situation as they smashed 109 off the last 15 overs.
South Africa started well courtesy openers Lee and Luus (31), who put together 66 before three wickets in the space of eight overs turned the game around. Mignon du Preez made 31, but consumed 61 deliveries as the asking rate spiraled.
Dinesha Devnarain made 26, but by the time she was dismissed, the required rate had climbed to more than seven an over. Chloe Tryon smashed six fours in her 28-ball 32 to briefly keep South Africa in the hunt before Jonassen dismissed her to effectively kill the chase.
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo