England, playing for pride after having conceded an unassailable 1-3 lead to India, edged past the hosts by two wickets in a close finish in the fifth and final women's ODI at the Mumbai Cricket Association's BKC ground in Mumbai today.
Chasing India's modest 206 for nine, built primarily around half centuries from Mithali Raj 50 (in 85 balls, 3 fours) and Hamanpreet Kaur's 84 (113 balls, 9 fours), England reached the target with one ball to spare.
Opener Heather Knight top-scored with 49, that included six boundaries in 101 balls, while useful contributions down the order from Lydia Greenway (26), Laura Marsh (22) and Danille Wyatt (28 not out in 25 balls) took the visitors home.
India skipper Jhulan Goswami and her new ball partner Rumeli Dhar captured two wickets apiece as well as Gouher Sultana and Sonia Dabir.
England, who opted to field first, were struggling at 133 for five in the 38th over before clinching victory in the penultimate ball. The hosts had won the opening ODI at Bangalore by 35 runs which was neutralised by England in the second clash at the Garden City winning by three runs.
The home team went on to clinch the next two games played at Vishakatnam by seven and five wickets respectively to grab the series ahead of today's inconsequential match.
The two teams now line up for a three-match T20 series here to be played on March 4, 6 and 8.
Scores: India 206 for 9 in 50 overs (Mithali Raj 50, Hamanpreet Kaur 84, Sonia Dabir not out 31; Katherine Brunt 2 for 28, Nocola Shaw 3 for 34, Jenny Gunn 2 for 28) lost to England 210 for 8 in 49.5 overs (Heather Knight 49, Danielle Wyatt 28 not out; Jhulan Goswami 2 for 39, Rumeli Dhar 2 for 35, Gouher Sultana 2 for 33, Sonia Dabir 2 for 37).
