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AAP
AAP
Jasper Bruce

Australia thrash West Indies to claim ODI series win

Australia polished off West Indies by eight wickets to clinch an ODI series win at Junction Oval. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Fast-bowling all-rounder Annabel Sutherland has starred as Australia belted West Indies by eight wickets to claim a one-day international series victory in the decisive third match.

Australia rolled the tourists for 103 runs inside 32 overs at Melbourne's Junction Oval on Saturday after Sutherland (3-23) engineered a collapse of 4-9 following the powerplay.

"'Every time she does come in, she's a real wicket-taker, she's got a handy knack of picking up wickets," Australian quick Kim Garth said of Sutherland.

"We had some really good bowling performances as a unit."

West Indies' total was the lowest posted in an ODI at Junction Oval, undercutting the 129 England's women managed in February 2022.

In reply, Alyssa Healy (32) and Phoebe Litchfield (27) forged a 57-run opening partnership that got Australia halfway to their target before Ellyse Perry slogged a six from a free hit to win the game in the 16th over.

Alyssa Healy plays a shot in the third ODI against West Indies.
Alyssa Healy set Australia on their way to a comfortable win with a knock of 32 against West Indies.

The victory caps off a dominant white-ball series for Australia, who clinched the rain-affected three-match ODI leg 2-0 and the Twenty20 trilogy 2-1.

Star opener Hayley Matthews was the only batter who consistently troubled the Australians in the T20s, so the hosts did well to keep her quiet after winning the toss and electing to bowl on Saturday.

Matthews managed only 23 runs before being trapped lbw by Garth (2-14) and, as was the case all series, her teammates offered little help.

"I just tried to put it in the right area and got one to cut back nicely, thankfully, because she's obviously their danger woman and had a fantastic series," Garth said.

Only Rashada Williams (25 off 71 balls) and quick Cherry-Ann Fraser (19) reached double figures of those who remained.

Having scored a whopping 310 runs in the T20 clashes, Matthews managed only a modest 43 in her two 50-over appearances, thwarted by Garth on both occasions.

In the 12th over, Sutherland took a line-ball catch from her own bowling that sent West Indies into a tailspin.

Sutherland appealed for a catch after Stafanie Taylor (four) played the ball into her right hand only centimetres from the ground as she followed through.

The on-field umpire did not award the wicket initially and there was only one grainy camera angle of the catch available to third umpire Claire Polosak.

But she nevertheless dismissed Taylor, who was in disbelief as she walked off.

Shemaine Campbelle (one) went in the next over despite West Indies' player review casting doubt as to whether spinner Alana King (2-20) hit the pad or bat first.

"They were really close decisions," Matthews said.

"I know a lot of the time when you're not too sure, the benefit of the doubt is given to the batter.

"I don't think we were 100 per cent sure or happy with the decisions but at the same time, we've got to respect the decision that the umpire has made."

Australia celebrate winning the ODI series against West Indies.
Australia eased to an eight-wicket victory to wrap up the ODI series against West Indies.

Sutherland trapped Chinelle Henry (one) and Aaliyah Alleyne (four) lbw in the space of three balls in the 14th over to leave West Indies in deep trouble.

Healy and Litchfield fell in back-to-back overs towards the end of Australia's powerplay, both caught at much the same point at the edge of the 30-yard circle.

But that was as good as it got for West Indies' bowling unit, with Beth Mooney (11 not out) and Perry (25no) cruising to the target with 34 overs remaining.

Australia allrounder Ash Gardner hurt her thumb fielding early in the day but scans cleared her of damage.

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