Australia retained the multi-format of the Women’s Ashes series as they beat England by 27 runs in the first ODI at the Manuka Oval here on Thursday.
A strong England bowling performance led by Kate Cross (3–33) and Katherine Brunt (3–40) helped England reduce Australia to a total of 205/9 in 50 overs despite Beth Mooney’s 73-run knock. helped in
In reply, Darcy Brown scored 4-34 with the support of Megan Schutt 2-39 and Tahlia McGrath 2-34 to bowl England out for 178 in 45 overs to register a 27-run win.
With this win, Australia, who had to draw the series only to retain the Ashes, now lead the 8-4 points-based series with two ODIs. England, who could still draw the series with two points available for an ODI win, have now had four series since winning the Ashes in 2014.
Opting to field first, England had an early breakthrough when Anya Shrubsole caught Rachel Haynes off a short delivery in the fourth over. While Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy combined to revive the innings, Kate Cross broke the stand by clearing Lanning with a peach, seamed back to cut him in half and hit the stumps.
Sophie Ecclestone hits a big blow at the other end by dismissing Ellyse Perry for a golden duck. Australia’s troubles escalated when a brilliant stumping from Annie Jones ended Alyssa Healy’s innings with a cross.
At 67/4, Australia were in trouble, but Beth Mooney teamed up with Tahlia McGrath to revive the innings. The pair got the Australian innings back on track at a half-century stand, but before McGrath could extend his full range of strokes, England struck again, with Katherine Brunt back into the attack and McGrath with a slow cutter. cleaned.
Mooney switched gears shortly after, with Ashley Gardner running out and Jess Jonassen falling for 4. She took the responsibility of seeing Australia through to the end of 50 overs and was successful in that, hitting a scintillating 73 off the last ball of the innings, which was her 10th ODI half-century.
Chasing 206 for a win, England were playing their fourth ODI against the 18-year-old Brown. He was dismissed at first slip by Tammy Beaumont in the fourth over and was soon followed by Heather Knight, who was caught off the first ball.
Opener Lauren Winfield-Hill fell in the 11th over, just as England were recovering from the opening blow. Megan Schutt completed 100 ODI wickets in the process, becoming the second fastest female cricketer to achieve the feat. Nate Sciver and Amy Jones rebuilt for England, but Jones was dismissed with an almost waist-high full toss from Tahlia McGrath after spending nearly 10 overs at the crease.
McGrath struck again when she trapped Sofia Dunkley in front in her next over, while Brown returned to take a cracking return catch to send back five short sieves of his half-century. At 103/6, England’s innings did not go as planned but Danny Wyatt and Katherine Brunt came back in a quick partnership to help England get closer to the target.
It was Schutt who gave Australia the breakthrough, clearing Wyatt with a formidable leg cutter. Brown hit with the wicket of Sophie Ecclestone from the other end and Jess Jonassen bowled Anya Shrubsole around her legs to leave England for 154 for nine.
Kate Cross and Brunt stayed around for a while to trouble the Aussies. The former was also dropped into the deep by Ellyse Perry as England continued to hold a close lead, but when Jonassen caught the cross and bowled to ensure a 27-run victory for the hosts, Jonasson said the Ashes The surefire victory will stay inside. Australian coast.
Brief scores: Australia Women 205/9 in 50 overs (Beth Mooney 73; Kate Cross 3-33) beat England Women by 27 runs in 178 (Natalie Sciver 45; Darcy Brown 4-34) in 45 overs.
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