Australia Secures ODI Series Win in Thrilling Fashion
Kim Garth and Alana King spearheaded Australia’s remarkable fightback to defeat England in a low-scoring thriller at Junction Oval, Melbourne, clinching the ODI series with a game to spare. The home side, led by skipper Alyssa Healy, now leads the Ashes scoreline 4-0.
Australia’s Dominant Start in the Ashes
Australia began their campaign on a high note, winning the first ODI at North Sydney Oval by four wickets with 67 balls to spare. Ashleigh Gardner shone with a stellar all-round performance, taking 3/19 and scoring an unbeaten 42* off 44 balls, earning the Player of the Match award.
2nd ODI: A Tale of Grit and Comebacks
Australia’s Innings: Early Momentum and a Dramatic Collapse
After being put in to bat by England skipper Heather Knight, Australia got off to a steady start.
- Opening Partnership: Alyssa Healy (29 off 19) and Phoebe Litchfield (29 off 50) put together a 43-run opening stand. Lauren Bell dismissed Healy with a sharp outswinger to break the partnership.
- Middle Order Contributions: Ellyse Perry’s classy 60 off 74 balls and her partnerships with Litchfield and Beth Mooney (19 off 33) helped Australia reach 130/2.
- England’s Bowling Brilliance: Sophie Ecclestone (4/35) and Alice Capsey (3/22) triggered a collapse, reducing Australia from 131/2 to 180 all out.
England’s Chase: Resilience Meets Resistance
Chasing a modest 181, England struggled to find momentum:
- Early Struggles: Tammy Beaumont fell in the second over, with Kim Garth striking early.
- Middle Order Resistance: Heather Knight (24 off 38) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (35 off 57) added 41 for the third wicket, stabilizing the innings.
- Australia’s Comeback: Alana King’s twin strikes and Garth’s disciplined bowling (3/37) kept England under pressure.
Late Drama and Australia’s Triumph
England’s hopes rested on Amy Jones (47* off 103), who staged a late fightback with Lauren Filer (13) in a 21-run ninth-wicket stand. However, a mix-up led to Filer’s run-out, and England was bowled out for 159, falling 21 runs short.
AUSTRALIA WINS A THRILLER BY 21 RUNS.
Amy Jones kept England in the game for long, but couldn’t take them over the victory line.
It’s 4-0 to the hosts now in the Ashes.#CricketTwitter #Ashes #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/nUkp6ip3Gu
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 14, 2025
Key Performances
Australia:
- Ellyse Perry: Top-scored with 60, anchoring Australia’s innings.
- Alana King: Player of the Match for her match-winning 4/25 and crucial knock of 13 runs.
- Kim Garth: Consistent with the ball, claiming 3/37.
England:
- Sophie Ecclestone: Starred with 4/35, her best ODI figures against Australia.
- Amy Jones: Fought valiantly with an unbeaten 47*.
- Alice Capsey: Impressive spell of 3/22.
Ashes Series Update
With a 4-0 lead, Australia has already secured the multi-format Women’s Ashes series, demonstrating their dominance.
Australia’s thrilling win at Junction Oval highlights the team’s depth and resilience, with Kim Garth and Alana King leading the way. England, despite commendable efforts from Ecclestone and Jones, will need a dramatic turnaround in the final ODI.
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