England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)

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Paige Scholfield and Ryana MacDonald-Gay star as England Women A beat Australia A in the final 50-over match of the series.

England Women A secured victory in their third and final 50-over match against Australia A on Monday morning at Cricket Central, Sydney. See the scorecard here.

A run out on the last ball of the penultimate over left the final pair of Grace Potts and Mahika Gaur needing one run to win with one wicket in hand.

Sianna Ginger delivered a dot first ball of the final over but Potts held her nerve to hit a four through cover to seal victory for the visitors with four balls remaining.

Chasing 195 to win, Paige Scholfield (83) and Seren Smale helped England to 152-4 with more than 11 overs to go. Ginger’s (1-31) run out of Smale (34) thwarted England’s momentum before the home spinners began to dominate.

Ella Hayward (1-24) bowled top scorer Scholfield and fellow spinners Charli Knott (1-39) and Sophie Day (2-43) each claimed a wicket as England lost 43-5 to slip to 9-195. Georgia Davis' 18 from 19 ball at No.9 kept the visitors in it before Potts ensured England secured a consolation victory in the one-day leg of the multi-format series.

Australia captain Nicole Faltum elected to bat first, right-armer Potts (3- 30) claimed three of the first four wickets, including star batter Georgia Voll for a second ball duck. Ryana MacDonald-Gay (3-32) trapped Faltum lbw without scoring as Australia A were 5-29.

Hayward (76) and South Australian No.3 Courtney Webb (53) produced a 100-run stand for the sixth wicket. Lower order batters provided strong support for Hayward before MacDonald-Gay returned to wrap up the innings on 195 with a double strike in the 47th over.

The result means Australia A take the 50-over leg 2-1 with wins in the first two matches. The tour concludes with a four-day fixture, also at Cricket Central, beginning on Saturday (12 April).

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