Alana King and Phoebe Litchfield starred as Australia capped off their dominant tour of the Caribbean with a commanding nine-wicket win in the third ODI at Warner Park in St Kitts.
Leg spinner King ripped through the West Indies batting line-up with a five-wicket haul as the hosts were all out for just 136 after skipper Hayley Matthews won the toss.
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Litchfield then sealed a 3-0 series triumph with the bat, finishing unbeaten on 68 from 56 balls as the visitors lost just one wicket, reaching the target in only 19.4 overs.
Ellyse Perry provided valuable support, making 33 not out in an unbroken stand of 87 with Litchfield.
It was King who was awarded player of the match honours, however.
The Australian team celebrate an Alana King wicket. Photo: Sam Gosling/Cricket Australia.Source: FOX SPORTS
The 30-year-old snared figures of 5/19 from her ten overs, including the key wicket of Matthews (34) to trigger the West Indian collapse.
The hard-hitting opener was the first of King’s five scalps as the hosts lost 7/58 to wrap up their innings.
It was King’s third five-wicket haul in ODIs.
Fellow tweaker Ash Gardner chipped in with two wickets, while stand-in skipper Tahlia McGrath, Lucy Hamilton and Nicola Carey grabbed a wicket each.
“I probably extracted a bit more turn out of tonight than I have from the other ODIs,” King said post-match.
“Glad to close out the series with a win. It’s been a great tour. Everyone is looking forward to a break.”
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Alana King celebrates a wicket. Photo: Sam Gosling/Cricket Australia.Source: FOX SPORTS
Litchfield did not go home empty-handed, however.
The opener’s knock, which included eight fours and a six, lifted her tally for the three-game series to 191 runs at 95.50.
She also led the way with 77 in the series opener.
The 22-year-old was awarded player of the series as a result in a positive sign for the Australians going forward in the post-Alyssa Healy era.
“I enjoy opening the batting with Georgia Voll. I think we got the best of the conditions at the top of the order,” Litchfield said.
Phoebe Litchfield raises the bat for her fifty. Photo: Sam Gosling/Cricket Australia.Source: FOX SPORTS
Australia also delivered a clean sweep of the T20 series that preceded the ODIs.
Going home with a 6-0 scoreline and a host of strong performances will no doubt fill the group with confidence ahead of June and July’s T20 World Cup in the United Kingdom.
“A really clinical way to finish the season. Kingy outstanding with the ball and Pheebs unbelievable with the bat,” McGrath said.
“We pride ourselves on our fielding and I thought today we took some really good catches and were really clean.
“That was awesome today. It’s been an awesome tour and we leave here very happy.”