India too strong for Southern Stars

The match in a tweet: India strike back! Match-winning fifties from Raj and Mandhana lead the tourists to a five-wicket victory at Blundstone Arena.

The heroes: Opener Smriti Mandhana and skipper Mithali Raj made the run chase look easy as they scored twin half-centuries to guide India to victory. Mandhana, 19, clearly loves Blundstone Arena and she set the tone, attacking the Australian bowlers from the first ball and scoring a speedy fifty to follow her century from the previous match. She was dismissed for a 52-ball 55, but her departure only stirred her captain to take on the role of aggressor. Raj, who could have been out stumped on nought but was saved by the absence of regular wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy, was also put down by Ellyse Perry on 69 when the allrounder made a rare error at cover. Raj found the boundary on 12 occasions as she scored a 113-ball 89, helping India reach their target with 18 balls to spare.

The turning point: Alex Blackwell was the key to the Southern Stars' batting innings – the only member of the top-order able to score at a run a ball – and she played the more assertive role in a 99-run partnership with Ellyse Perry. Blackwell's dismissal for 60 in the 35th over was the breakthrough India needed to keep the run chase down. After the vice-captain departed, caught by Rajeshwari Gayakwad off the bowling of Shikha Pandey, Grace Harris followed soon after for nought and suddenly the Southern Stars were 4-142. 

WATCH: Blackwell fires for Southern Stars

The key drops: Twice the Southern Stars had opportunity to make double strikes during India's chase, but twice chances were put down. Perry had just captured the big wicket of Harmanpreet Kaur to put the Southern Stars back in the match when she made a rare error in the field, dropping Raj at cover when the India skipper was on 69. Then, after Raj was run out by a direct hit from Kristen Beams, Harris dropped a sitter at mid-off to give Punam Raut a life.

The support cast:  Shikha Pandey bowled extremely well to capture the wickets of Blackwell, Perry and Harris, while she was also responsible for the run-out of Megan Schutt. After three overs she had 3-37, only Rene Farrell's lusty late hitting blowing her numbers out slightly as she finished with 3-50. The world’s top ODI bowler Jhulan Goswami (1-33) was also miserly. 

The consolation efforts: A crucial half-century from Blackwell helped the Southern Stars post 7-231 in the midst of a superb effort from India's bowlers. Blackwell's 60 from 64 balls came as Australia's strong batting line-up struggled to score freely in the face of a disciplined display from India, continuing her excellent form after she scored her third ODI ton in Canberra on Tuesday. Brought to the crease by the departure of Meg Lanning in the 14th over, Blackwell looked as though she was batting on a different wicket to her top-order teammates, stroking seven boundaries on her way to her 20th ODI fifty. Perry added important runs but was made to work hard for her 11th one-day half-century, reaching the milestone off 91 deliveries. Perry's fifty was her 10th half-century from her last 13 ODIs, while with the ball she captured 2-50. 

WATCH: Another half century for in-form Perry

The injury concern: After Perry found the breakthrough to dismiss Veda Krishnamurthy in the 7th over, wicketkeeper Healy immediately left the ground, with Blackwell taking over the gloves. Healy has sustained a possible left hamstring injury and took no further part in the match as a precaution, with the wicketkeeper to be assessed by Cricket Australia's Sports Doctor John Orchard on Monday. With just a 10-day break before Australia sets off for their tour of New Zealand and the World T20 next month, they will have their fingers crossed that it isn't anything too serious. Schutt also left the field having only bowled five overs, as a precaution due to some knee soreness.

The stat: India were cruising at 0-36 in the seventh over when Perry was brought on for the first time. She struck immediately, removing Krishnamurthy with her first delivery. It was Perry's 100th ODI wicket, as she became only the third Australian women to reach triple figures in the wicket-taking stakes. Only Cathryn Fitzpatrick (180) and Lisa Sthalekar (146) have more for the Southern Stars. Her second scalp, Kaur, saw her move into the top 10 all-time ODI wicket takers. 

The catch: Perry had just reached her 11th one-day fifty but she fell the very next ball to a stunning caught and bowled by Shikha Pandey. Perry drilled the delivery straight back at Pandey, who somehow managed to hold on with her knees and the tips of her fingers. 

WATCH: Perry falls to stunning return catch

The Women's ODI Championship: Australia's 2-1 series win means they move clear on top of the Championship table to sit four points clear of the second-ranked West Indies. They are set to play another nine ODIs this year before the winner of the inaugural Championship is determined, starting with their tour of New Zealand later this month. The Southern Stars will also travel to Sri Lanka later this year before hosting South Africa. India now have seven points, but remain seventh on the ladder, also with nine more matches to play.

What's next: The Southern Stars have a 10-day break now before they depart for New Zealand, where they will play three ODIs and three T20s,starting on February 20 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. After that, the World T20 and a chance at an unprecedented fourth consecutive title beckons. India return home on Monday, where they have a short break before they host Sri Lanka for three ODIs, beginning on February 15 in Ranchi.