England Women’s cricket team secured a thrilling five-wicket victory over Australia in the T20 International at Lord’s, keeping the Women’s Ashes series alive. The match, played in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 21,610, saw England successfully chase down a rain-adjusted target of 119 runs in just 14 overs.
With this result, Australia’s lead in the multi-faceted series now stands at 6-4, having initially led 6-0 after winning the Test and opening the T20Is. However, Australia only needs to win one out of the remaining three One Day Internationals (ODIs) to retain the Ashes.
Australia posted a total of 155 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their innings. Due to persistent rain, the target was adjusted for England’s innings. Led by Danni Whyatt’s quickfire 26 runs off 15 balls, England started off strongly. However, Whyatt and Sophia Dunkley were both dismissed for 39 runs off successive balls.
The wet ball proved to be a challenge for Australian bowler Jess Jonasson, who conceded 14 runs in the sixth over. At the halfway mark of their innings, England was comfortably positioned at 57 for 2 wickets. Darcie Brown impressed with figures of 18 runs for 1 wicket off three overs, putting pressure on England.
Teenager Alice Capsey, who scored a brilliant 46 runs off 22 balls, combined with veteran Nat Sciver-Brunt (25 runs off 24 balls) to form a crucial partnership of 68 runs off 44 balls for the third wicket. Despite Australia’s efforts to contain England with excellent fielding, England needed just two runs off the final two balls to secure the victory.
In a nail-biting over, Georgia Wareham and Jess Jonasson dismissed Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight for no runs. However, Dani Gibson hit a four off her first ball, sealing the victory for England and inflicting Australia’s first T20 series loss since 2017.
In the first Women’s Ashes T20 match of the series, Australia struggled initially but managed to post a defensible total of 155 runs. England, on the other hand, missed several opportunities, dropping five catches. Alyssa Healy, Australia’s skipper, hit two boundaries in the first two balls but was then dropped before being dismissed for 16 runs in a quick 10-ball innings.
Beth Mooney and Ash Gardner contributed 32 runs each, while Ellyse Perry added 34 runs off 25 balls. Thanks to their late storm of runs, Australia managed to post a competitive total.
The focus now shifts to the first ODI, which will take place in Bristol on Wednesday. Australia only needs to win one of the remaining three ODIs to secure the Women’s Ashes. Both teams will be eager to give their best and claim victory in this crucial match.
Overall, England’s thrilling victory has injected new life into the Women’s Ashes series, setting the stage for an exciting battle between these two cricketing powerhouses.
