Hayley Matthews threatened to pull off another improbable run chase before Australia exposed West Indies' underbelly to secure a Twenty20 international series win.

The hosts won by 47 runs after setting West Indies a victory target of 191 at Allan Border Field in Brisbane on Thursday night.

Australia bowled West Indies out for 143 with one ball to spare to win the series 2-1.

West Indies captain Matthews had earlier launched her third successive mission to give Australia a mighty scare.

Starting slowly, she exploded after the sixth over and reached 50 off just 29 balls.

A huge six over mid-on followed and West Indies was 0-89 after 10 overs.

Matthews had scored 132 in Sydney on Monday to steer her side past Australia's 6-212 and level the series 1-1.

A historic first series win against Australia looked in reach until Mathews, who made an unbeaten 99 in the first match of the series, finally slipped up.

She skied a delivery from Darcie Brown (3-20 off four overs) to Phoebe Litchfield at cover and was out for 79 off 40 balls, with West Indies still needing 94 off 56.

But the tourists lost 5-7, before Australia went on to complete a satisfying victory.

Earlier, Tahlia McGrath pummelled 11 fours and two sixes to all parts in her innings of 65 off just 34 balls as Australia made 9-190.

Her 80-run stand with Ellyse Perry (40 off 30 balls) put Australia in the box seat after opener Beth Mooney was run out for 3 and captain Alyssa Healy (18 off 12) wasted her bright start.

Stafanie Taylor dropped McGrath over the boundary rope to take her to 50 but held a tougher chance soon after to halt the onslaught.

Perry soon followed Ash Gardner (2), before Litchfield (36 off 17) again proved an effective finisher with some unconventional stroke play.

Australia dropped Queensland spinner Jess Jonassen for the series decider, with pace bowler Kim Garth added in the only change to the XI.

The sides begin a three-match 50-over series in Brisbane on Sunday.

AAP/ABC