India's women's cricket team choked under pressure and lost the third One-Day International against Australia [Images] by 54 runs at the North Sydney Oval on Wednesday. It was their third successive defeat.

Australia took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

The last two matches of the series will be played at the Manuka Oval in Canberra this weekend.

Chasing a target of 224 to win, the Indians squandered a good start and were reduced from 64 for 1 in the 21st over to 76 for 4 in the 27th, before finishing at 169 for 7.

Australia's Lisa Sthalekar ripped through the Indian middle order and ended up with career-best figures of 4 for 20.

Earlier, electing to bat, Australia amassed 223 for 6, Sarah Edwards top-scoring with a career-high 96 that was studded with nine boundaries. She was well-supported by wicketkeeper Jodie Fields, who contributed 54 from 56 balls.

Edwards and Fields put on 114 runs for the fifth wicket, while Leah Poulton chipped in with 32 off 54 balls.