Australia women beat India women by 4 wickets in a close encounter

Hyderabad: As Harmanpreet Kaur finished it off in style in the first match against England, their next challenge was in the form of Australia women and most importantly, Ellyse Perry. The women in blue couldn't carry the momentum forward against Australia as they lost by 4 wickets at Canberra.

It was Australia who won the toss and elected to have a bowl first against India as they looked to restrict Harmanpreet and co to a low score.

Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana looked to settle in the middle but things went the other way as Ellyse Perry uprooted Verma's stumps for 5. Jemimah on the other side couldn't find the sweet spot of the bat and departed for 1.

It was the seniors, Smriti and Harmanpreet who came to India's rescue and stitched a 40 run partnership until Mandhana too walked back for a well-made 35. Harmanpreet then stuck in the middle for a while but couldn't score big. She departed for 28, courtesy Ellyse Perry.

The Australian women then ran-through the Indian batting line up and restricted them for a below-par score of 103. Perry was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/13.

Australia then having to chase 104, stumbled earlier on in the innings as they lost Healy in the second over itself. Beth Mooney then departed for a well made 22 as Australia were 30/2.

As India showed little signs of a comeback, Ellyse Perry, Australia's best women's cricketer completely turned the tables around and almost took Australia home as she got out on 49. Australia then went over the line with 7 balls to spare and bagged a win by 4 wickets.

Ellyse Perry was awarded the Player of the Match award for her all-round performances with the bat (49) and ball (4/13).

Australia and India now have a win each over England whereas England are yet to get back to the winning ways in the Tri-series