In a thrilling start to the ODI series of the Ashes, Australia defeated England by a margin of 27 Runs.
Beth Mooney and Darcie Brown were the heroes for the hosts as they defended 205. A brilliant display of batting by Beth Mooney in extremely difficult conditions nudged Australia to a respectable total of 205.
On a two-paced wicket which was holding a little with the new ball and skidded on when bowled short regular clatter of wickets stopped Australia in their track.
Meg Lanning became the second-fastest to get to 4000 ODI runs after another Australian legend Belinda Clark. Australia lost Rachael Haynes early on their innings, Lanning along with Alyssa Healy steadied the ship before falling to an inspired performance by Kate Cross.
4000+ Runs Club welcomes Megastar!
🇮🇳Mithali Raj- 7391
🏴Charlotte Edwards- 5992
🏝️Stafanie Taylor- 5134
🇦🇺Belinda Clark- 4844
🇦🇺Karen Rolton- 4814
🇳🇿Suzie Bates- 4605
🇳🇿Amy Satterthwaite- 4298
🏴C Taylor- 4101
🇳🇿Debbie Hockley- 4064
🏴Sarah Taylor- 4056
🇦🇺Meg Lanning- 4000+— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) February 3, 2022
Cross delivered an amazing performance with the ball, first, she knocked Lanning’s stumps over with a superb delivery that nipped back in, and then joined forces with Amy Jones to dismiss Healy with a sublime piece of wicket-keeping. Jones clipped the bails off when Healy’s foot was still in the air.
A real feature of England’s bowling was their ability to bring the ball back in. Australia was made to earn every run while Beth Mooney was running out of partners at the other end while she held her fort. Mooney along with Tahlia McGrath put together a 58-run partnership. With nine overs remaining the debutant Alana King walked out to bat. Mooney and King joined forces towards a strong 52-run eighth-wicket partnership shifting the momentum in favor of the Aussies.
With plenty of swing on offer even in the second innings, Megan Schutt and Darcie Brown got Australia to a dream start. The youngster Brown dismissed Tammy Beaumont when Tammy Beaumont edged one just outside off stump which went straight to Meg Lanning’s hands at first slip.
Megan Schutt completes a Century of ODI Wickets in her 66th ODI Match today! #AUSvENG | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/3RU3mRgsKl
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) February 3, 2022
Brown then had Knight plumb, right in front of the very next ball. Nat Sciver walked out to face the hat-trick ball. She survived the hat-trick ball as Brown who usually was on the money throughout her spell bowled a slightly shorter delivery which Sciver left to rest safely in the hands of wicket-keeper Healy. Brown bagged her second four wickets haul in just her fifth ODI. She is currently the most exciting fast-bowling talent in the game with a very bright future ahead.
Megan Schutt got to 100 ODI wickets when Lauren Winfield-Hill hit a well-timed pull straight down Ashleigh Gardner’s throat at deep mid-wicket.
In a game-changing moment, Amy Jones hit a juicy full-toss right into Ellyse Perry’s hand stationed at the deep square leg boundary of Tahlia McGrath’s bowling.
It was a waist-high full toss which was referred upstairs to check for a possible no-ball. After having a long look at it, the third umpire considered it a fair delivery as Jones was given out. Nat Sciver looked in magnificent touch, again the brilliance of Darcie Brown proved a factor in her dismissal. Sciver closed the face to work the ball on the leg side, it chipped off the leading edge back towards Brown who then dived forward and clutched it centimeters above the ground. Katherine Brunt and Kate Cross tried to pull off the improbable win only to fall 27 runs short.
Was that a legal delivery or a no-ball? #Ashes pic.twitter.com/cKvhp5jLgC
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) February 3, 2022
With this victory, Australia has an unassailable 8-4 lead in the multi-format series. Thus, the Ashes will stay in possession of the Aussies.
Beth Mooney was adjudged the Player of the Match.
Brief Scores:
England Women won the toss and chose to field.
Australia Women- 205/9 (50 overs)
Beth Money- 73(91)
Tahlia McGrath- 29(48)
Kate Cross – 3/33 (10)
Katherine Brunt- 3/40 (10)
England Women- 178/10 (45 overs)
Nat Sciver- 45(66)
Katherine Brunt- 32*(46)
Darcie Brown- 4/34 (10)
Tahlia McGrath- 2/34 (10)