England’s hopes of victory in the lone Women’s Ashes Test suffered a massive blow due to a batting collapse caused by Ashleigh Gardner’s spin magic. Despite Sophie Ecclestone’s 10-wicket haul, England needed 268 runs for victory but finished day four on 116 for five. Gardner’s off-spin bagged Tammy Beaumont, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Heather Knight in quick succession. England required an improbable 152 runs to win on the final day, leaving Australia just five wickets away from a first Ashes Test triumph since 2015. The win would also help them retain the urn in this multi-format series.
England’s openers Emma Lamb and Tammy Beaumont put on an opening stand of 55, but Gardner’s introduction to the attack was the catalyst for a top-order collapse. There was some suspicion from the English camp that Knight was outside the line, but the umpire’s decision went with her, leaving England reeling at 73 for four. Danni Wyatt offered some resistance and remained unbeaten on 20 at the close of play, while Kate Cross finished 5 not out.
Earlier, Cross shelled a chance to reprieve Phoebe Litchfield on 42, but soon atoned for her mistake by taking out Litchfield’s off-stump. Sciver-Brunt missed a return catch off Beth Mooney’s bat, and Ellyse Perry chopped on to Lauren Filer for 25. Jess Jonassen was Ecclestone’s first victim upon the resumption as she missed a slog-sweep to a delivery that turned and snaked under her bat.
Annabel Sutherland was promoted two spots to six and had a life on nought when Wyatt spilled a difficult chance at square-leg. Mooney departed for 85, and Gardner lasted just three balls before edging low off Cross to be caught by Knight. Darcie Brown was Ecclestone’s final wicket of the innings, lbw when she missed a forward prod.
Australia’s Alyssa Healy and Alana King’s 59-run stand may yet be crucial in their bid to seal a four-point victory. Healy was the aggressor but perished to Ecclestone’s full toss, while Brown was dismissed lbw. Australia’s success will be their first Ashes Test triumph since 2015, and the points earned will be valuable in the multi-format series.
