Women’s Ashes 2019 – 3rd T20I – England’s bowlers star as hosts gain consolation Ashes win

Women’s Ashes 2019 – T20 series – Australia Women vs England Women

Match 3 – County Ground, Bristol, England

Toss – Won by Australia Women and elected to bowl first

1^st Innings Summary – Called upon to bat first and a having a last chance to register a win in 2019 Ashes, England lost both the openers early. But before that, some power hitting from Danielle Wyatt helped England to reach 40 for 2 after the first power play. Medium pacer Talyla Vlaeminck struck in her first over and get Nataile Sciver going back to pavilion in 8^th over as Amy Jones joined English skipper in the middle.

Both the batters looked in good touch, rotating the strike and hitting the poor deliveries for the maximum. The scoreboard read 82 for 3 at the end of 13overs and just when it seemed to the perfect time for both the set batters to change the gears, the change of bowling did the trick for Australia. Owing to some hesitant running, Heather Knight lost her wicket in a run out and Ashleigh Gardner also sent Jones packing in the same over. After 15overs, all the top order batters were back into the hut and two new batters were on the crease with the dual pressure of making quick runs and avoiding further batting collapse.

But the responsibility was well taken by Lauren Winfield and Katherine Brunt as they added 46runs in the last five overs without losing any further wicket as England reached a respectable score of 139 for 5 after 20 overs.

2^nd Innings Summary – England bowlers bowled well in the first power play, built up pressure on the batters by hitting good line and length, not allowing much room and as a result, got two early wickets. Spinner Sophie Eccelstone bowled her first over as a wicket-maiden trapping Meg Lanning for a LBW out and the Aussies captain was dismissed for the first time against England in a T20 match since 2016.

Debutant Mady Villiers dropped a simple return-catch of in-form batter Alyssa Healy in her first over but came back strongly by taking two important wickets in her next over. Her maiden T20 international wicket came in the form of Aussies vice-captain and dangerous Healy and removed Ashleigh Gardner for a duck four balls later.

For the first time in the series, Australian side found themselves in a state of bother as the scoreboard read 45 for the loss of four wickets in ten overs. With 63runs needed of last six overs and with Ellyse Perry in the middle, it still looked possible. Although Perry kept doing her job well on one end and reached her half-century in the process, but could not help falling wickets on the other end. Eccelstone bowled a dream penultimate over and took two wickets on the last two balls to remain on a hat-trick in her next T20 international.

The Southern Stars remained 17runs short in the end and narrowly missed on the chance of attaining the ‘Invincibles’ tag. But what a spectacular display of top class cricket from this side all throughout the Ashes!!!

Player of the match – Katherine Brunt for a handy 25runs innings in just 18balls and taking three wickets in her allotted quota of four overs.

Other Remarkable Performances –

1. Lauren Winfield (England) – 26(39)* (4s-3)
2. Sophie Eccelstone (England) – 4-1-22-3
3. Mady Villiers (England) – 4-0-20-2
4. Ellyse Perry (Australia) – 60(50)* (4s-2) (6s-3)

Brief scorecard:

England Women – 139/5 (20 overs)

Australia Women – 122/8 (20 overs)

Result – England Women won by 17 runs

Player of the Series – Ellyse Perry

Ashes T20 series Result – Won by Australia Women (2-1)

Women’s Ashes 2019 Result – Won by Australia Women and they retained Ashes Cup