Superb Perry guides Southern Stars home

The match in a tweet: Ellyse Perry, take a bow! Allrounder's 55* and 4-12 help Southern Stars to a 15-run consolation win in the third and final T20 at the SCG. 

WATCH: Perry's quickfire half-century

The hero: Perry's half-century provided crucial runs for the Southern Stars after another wobbling performance from the batting line-up, then she backed that up with a brilliant showing with the ball, taking 4-12. After scores of 19 and 4 in the opening two games, Perry made another cautious start – including a bizarre attempt at a reverse sweep – before she opened up her shoulders with a six straight down the ground in the 16th over. She had put international duties above the chance to play for Sydney FC in their W-League grand final today and the Southern Stars would have been extremely grateful for her presence, as she powered her way to 55 from 41 balls, adding 28 from the last 12 with Alex Blackwell in a late but very helpful flurry. Then Perry took a very good catch in the deep to dismiss Vanitha, before snaring the wickets of Harmanpreet Kaur, Anuja Patil, Goswami and Smriti Mandhana.

WATCH: Perry's unique reverse sweep

The key moment: India were travelling nicely in their run chase at 1-50 in the eighth over when Perry found herself in the thick of the action again, holding on to a nice catch in the deep off the bowling of Jess Jonassen to send Vellaswamy Vanitha packing. Vanitha was on 28 from 25 deliveries at the time and the wicket put the hosts back in it, after a dropped catch the previous over had given Veda Krishnamurphy a let off. 

WATCH: Perry takes excellent outfield catch to dismiss Vanitha

The consolation effort: Jhulan Goswami's excellent form with the ball and India's sharp work in the field again made life difficult for Australia. Goswami had struck in the first over in both Adelaide and Melbourne, sending Grace Harris back without scoring on both occasions. She ensured it was another disastrous start for the hosts in Sydney, dismissing Alyssa Healy (moved up the order to replace Harris) with her first ball, completing a wicket maiden to start the game. She finished with 1-21 after being dispatched for 11 by Blackwell and Perry in the penultimate over of Australia's innings, but it was another impressive show from the world's best ODI bowler.

The support cast: Opener Beth Mooney (34) and skipper Meg Lanning (26) also made handy contributions with the bat for the Southern Stars, while Rene Farrell (2-18) and Jess Jonassen (1-9) were very tidy with the ball.

The debutante: India medium pacer Deepti Sharma made her maiden T20 International appearance for India at the SCG and was quick to impress, leaking just 19 runs from her four overs and collecting the wicket of Australia opener Beth Mooney. 

The wicket: Anyone slightly late to arrive at the SCG or to turn on their television or radio could have been forgiven for thinking Lanning had promoted herself to opener. Rather, Jhulan Goswami had removed in-form wicketkeeper Healy with the first ball of the match. It continued Australia's struggle to find a successful opening partnership and meant the hosts were immediately on the back foot. 

WATCH: Lanning falls after fast start

The stat: Perry's 4-12 was a career best in T20s for the reigning Belinda Clark Award winner.

WATCH: Perry devastating bowling spell

What it all means: That's it for the T20 series and India will be extremely thrilled with their 2-1 result despite today's loss, after arriving on Australian shores as the underdogs and having never won a T20 series away from home. For the Southern Stars there is plenty to ponder. The teams now meet in three one-day internationals in Canberra (February 2) and Hobart (February 5 and 7) but with just three more T20s against New Zealand up their sleeve before the World Cup in March, Australia need to work out their best combination and fast.