Stars win well

The Southern Stars have opened up an unassailable 3-0 series lead, with a 54-run victory over India in the third one-day international at North Sydney Oval.

Helped by a sensational 96 from Sarah Edwards, the Southern Stars posted 6-223 from their allotted 50 overs, with India only managing 7-169 in reply.

"It was great to get an opportunity batting higher up the order today," Edwards said after the match.

"I've been playing a middle order for a role in bits and pieces, so to get an opportunity at number three and get set and bat through is really good."

Edwards received valuable support from Jodie Fields (54 from 56 balls), while Leah Poulton compiled an impressive 32 from 54 deliveries.

"Jodie (Fields) is fantastic to bat with," Edwards added.

"She comes in and rotates the strike straight away and controls what the bowlers are doing, so it was great to work with her and put a big partnership together."

"It would have been so good to get my first hundred but we had to hit out in the last over and I was feeling very tired at that stage."

Lisa Sthalekar was the star with the ball, with Indian-born all-rounder picking up a career best of 4-20.

Games four and five of the series will be held at Canberra's Manuka Oval on Saturday and Sunday.