Australia beat Pakistan in final ODI to take series 3-0

Sydney: Beth Mooney's big-hitting century on Saturday helped Australia to a 101-run win over Pakistan, wrapping up another ODI series clean sweep for Meg Lanning's team.

After being sent in, Mooney monstered 133 from 105 balls while Lanning struck 72 from 70 to help Australia post 336 for 9 in Saturday's match at North Sydney Oval.

Pakistan had their best day of the tour in reply with 235 for 7, their equal-highest ODI total against Australia, but the visitors were never really in the hunt as they fell well behind the run-rate required.

The win completed a 3-0 series victory for Australia, who have now swept 11 of their past 12 bilateral ODI series. With a T20 World Cup to be played in South Africa next month, Mooney's brutal display of hitting will also have sounded a warning to Australia's rivals there.

Scratchy at first, Mooney eventually unleashed on Pakistan's attack with Tuba Hassan copping the worst of the punishment on ODI debut. The Queenslander hit the legspinner for three straight sixes over the legside - one landing on the roof of the O'Reilly Stand and another bouncing off it and onto the road.

Australia win the third and final ODI by 101 runs.#AUSWvPAKW | #BackOurGirls pic.twitter.com/gAhyLhbrel

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 21, 2023

Another six off the spinner was down the ground while she brought up her third ODI hundred when she hit Hassan behind square for four. It came after Mooney scored 16 from her first 37 balls, before striking 117 from her next 68.

Mooney wasn't alone in handing out the punishment as Hassan finished with 0 for 69 from six overs. Lanning hit the 22-year-old into the window of the commentary box to bring up her 50. Australia's captain was also clinical against the quicks, cutting the ball whenever she was offered any width as Pakistan's bowling waned after a tight start.

Her 72 is a good sign for Australia ahead this week's T20I series against Pakistan and the looming World Cup, with the series her first since her five-month personal break.

Teenage Australian opener Phoebe Litchfield was dismissed for the first time in her ODI career, bowled for nine by Fatima Sana after unbeaten scores of 78 and 67 in Brisbane.

Australia were less dominant with the ball than in the first two matches, and also gave up 25 wides. Ashleigh Gardner was Australia's best with 3 for 30, bowling Sidra Ameen out of the rough and later going through Bismah Maroof on 44.

There was a moment of confusion with Nida Dar on 5 when she pulled away from a Tahlia McGrath ball at the last moment and it cannoned into her stumps. The ball was declared dead and Dar was able to continue batting, before she later fell to Annabel Sutherland on 29.