Australia takes the advantage after Ashleigh Gardner spun through England on day four of the lone Women’s Ashes Test at Trent Bridge. Gardner picked up three crucial wickets as England ended the day at 5-116, still needing 152 to reach the victory target of 268 on Monday’s final day. Australia needs just five more wickets to secure the win as they dismantled England’s top order. Gardner’s spin bowling was praised by Australian opener Beth Mooney, who believes Gardner is an absolute game-changer.
England left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone also had an impressive performance, taking her second five-wicket haul of the Test and finishing with remarkable match figures of 10-192 from 77.1 overs. However, Ecclestone could only watch as England suffered a top-order collapse with four wickets lost in 29 balls, leaving the team at 4-73.
England’s Danni Wyatt and nightwatch Kate Cross will be vital in minimizing Australia’s advantage. England must believe they can win, according to Ecclestone. Hopefully, we can put Australia under pressure and go at them, she said.
The Women’s Ashes series differs from the ongoing men’s series as it is a multi-format contest. Winning the test match is worth four points, with each of the next three one-day internationals and three Twenty20s worth two points each. Australia is the world champion in both white-ball formats.
On day three, Tammy Beaumont’s record-breaking 208 put England in a dominant position with a 92-run lead and all ten second innings wickets in hand. Despite Natalie Sciver-Brunt’s 78 and Danni Wyatt’s 44, the final five wickets fell for 52 runs, with Beaumont the last woman out. Australia’s Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield reached 0-82 in the final 19 overs of the day.
Australia holds the upper hand with Gardner’s superb performance with the ball leaving the hosts in a challenging position. The English girls will have to battle hard in the second innings to achieve a win. The team is optimistic about their chances based on Ecclestone’s impressive form and the skills of Wyatt and Cross. The final day promises to be an exciting one for fans of both teams.
