Australia record consolation win

Australia has avoided a T20 series whitewash against India, claiming the third and final match by 12 runs at the SCG on Tuesday night.

Matthew Wade top scored for Australia with 80 opening the innings, his second consecutive half century having made 58 on Sunday.

Aaron Finch fell for a duck to Washington Sundar, the spinner also claiming the prized scalp of Steve Smith for 24.

Australia's total of 5-186 was set up by a 90 run stand between Wade and Glenn Maxwell, who continued his outstanding limited overs form in making 54 from 36 balls, striking three fours and three sixes.

Maxwell then turned bowling hero by removing KL Rahul second ball of India's chase for a duck, finding Smith at deep midwicket.

The same combination should have combined for Virat Kohli's scalp in Maxwell's next over, but Smith put down a simple chance to give the Indian captain a life.

He made the most of his second chance, scoring a half century with support from Skikhar Dhawan (28) but the asking rate was climbing, Mitch Swepson claiming the left hander courtesy of a great diving catch from Daniel Sams in the deep.

The Queensland leg-spinner had two wickets in one inspired over when he dismissed Sanju Samson (10) and Shreyas Iyer (0) to put Australia in the box seat with India 4-100.

The visitors were still alive with Kohli and second T20 hero Hardik Pandya at the crease, Kohli registering his 25th T20 international half century.

Pandya fell to Adam Zampa as the asking rate began to climb, Kohli's dismissal for 85 breaking the back of the India chase despite a late cameo from Shardul Thakur (17 from 7 balls).

India could only manage 7/174, giving Australia a consolation win as Kohli's men claimed the series 2-1, Pandya player of the series and Swepson player of the match for his 3-23.

Attention now turns to the Test series, with India to play a three day warm up match, a day night fixture with a pink ball to prepare for the first Test in Adelaide which commences on December 17th.

IMAGE: Today News First.