Australia retained the women’s Ashes after Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 111 not out narrowly failed to prevent a three-run defeat for England in the second ODI on Sunday.
England were just 3 runs short of clinching the Ashes series but Nat Sciver-Brunt’s last ball attempted slog-sweep didn’t go well and fell short of a boundary. A four would’ve taken that thriller to a super over. England’s victory in Bristol in the first ODI had leveled the multiformat series with 6-6 points and they needed to win this ODI to get their Ashes title. With the Ashes coming to an end, the last ODI to be played on July 18, and England’s dream of taking the Title also comes to an end. Nat Sciver-Brunt’s brilliant hundred couldn’t save the match for England. Australia’s great Rachael Haynes was full of praise for Sciver-Brunt after almost leading her side to victory.
“Credit to the Aussies, they held their nerve there, Jess Jonassen bowling that final over – but what an innings from Nat Sciver-Brunt, I think that was exceptional, she really stood up for her team,” she said on Nine’s coverage.
“I got a little bit nervous towards the back end there, I’ve certainly been in the field on the back end of some of Sciver-Brunt’s innings, she can hit the ball a long way. She faced a lot of deliveries in that last over, she certainly had the opportunity to do it.”
England won the toss and invited Australia to bat first and were given a target of 283 in 50 overs after their successful chase of 264 in the previous game. Ellyse got unluckier this time too after getting out in the first Ashes Test on 99. Perry scored 91, Annabel Sutherland scored a fine half-century, and Georgia Wareham played an absolute blinder of a knock, scoring 37 of just 14 balls with 26 coming off the last over of their innings bowled by Lauren Bell. Sophie Ecclestone bowled really well and troubled the Australian batting lineup throughout the match, scalping 3 crucial wickets in the match.
In response, Tammy Beaumont provided England with a terrific start scoring 60 in 62 balls adding 66 run partnership with Sophia Dunkley for the first wicket. They were looking great with their partnership until Georgia after playing a blinder knock got the opening wicket of England in the form of Sophia Dunkley and was followed by Alana King’s spell which comprised the big wickets of Heather Knight, Beaumont, and Alice Capsey.
Nat Scive-Brunt coming at number 4 took the innings ahead and it was another spinner’s time to strike as Ashleigh Gardner sent back Danni Wyatt in the 29th Over. Brunt then added a 57-run partnership with Amy Jones who was looking in good touch but later she got trapped by Ashleigh Gardner, scoring 37 in 34 balls and keeping England in the hunt. With the brilliant ball from Gardner, she took no time to dismiss Sophie Ecclestone in the same over.
Sciver-Brunt managed to score an unbeaten hundred by making some surviving partnership with Sarah Glenn (22*) who managed to provide good support to her during the chase.
The win puts Australia 8-6 up in the series with only one ODI left to play in Taunton, which means the Trophy will remain with Alyssa Healy’s side.
“I thought we had it, Nat played an outstanding innings, It’s been an outstanding series, the best series ever in women’s cricket in my opinion.” England Captain Heather Knight said during the post-match presentation.
Comments 5