Australia was in the driver’s seat on Day 4 of the women’s Ashes Test on Sunday as England struggled to chase the target of 268 runs set by the visitors. At stumps, England was reeling at 116-5, with Australia having the upper hand heading into the final day of the one-off match at Trent Bridge. After Australia’s middle order collapsed in their second innings, England’s opening pair started the chase with a solid 55-run partnership, giving home fans hope of a victory. However, spinner Ashleigh Gardner took three critical wickets, including Tammy Beaumont, who had scored 208 in the first innings. Captain Heather Knight and Emma Lamb also fell to Gardner and Tahlia McGrath, respectively. Danni Wyatt and Sophia Dunkley later steadied the ship, but Kim Garth picked up her first test wicket when she bowled Dunkley. Wyatt and Kate Cross were at the crease at stumps, with England needing 152 runs to win.
Earlier, Australia resumed on 82-0 but lost opener Phoebe Litchfield early, misreading an inswinger from Cross and leaving a delivery that hit her off stump. All-rounder Ellyse Perry also did not last long and got bowled by Lauren Filer. Spinner Sophie Ecclestone took the most significant scalp by dismissing Beth Mooney and Alyssa Healy, contributing with a fifty, before falling for a soft catch in the mid-wicket area. Cross and Filer picked up two wickets each, and Ecclestone took the final wicket before the new ball was due, finishing with her second five-wicket haul.
Gardner said that they did not bat to their full potential in their second innings, but they realized how challenging it was to bat in the final innings. At tea, they spoke about the importance of the runs scored by Healy, who led from the front, removed the monkey off her back, and took it into her keeping.
Australia currently leads the multi-format Ashes series 4-2 and is seeking to secure a comfortable victory in the test match to put more pressure on England.
