Women's Ashes: England secure a draw after Australia's stunning show

The final day of the Women's Ashes Test was a nail-biting one as England were about to win the game with ease but managed to hold on to a draw in Canberra.

England secure a draw over Australia. (Image: Twitter)
By Shurti Banerjee | Jan 30, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

The final day of the Women’s Ashes Test was a nail-biting one as England were about to win the game with ease but managed to hold on to a draw in Canberra. Australia captain Meg Lanning set the target for the visitors – 257 in 48 overs to clinch the game. England, however, reduced from being 218 for 3 to 244 for 9 to end hopes of scripting a victory as well.

Australia came into the final day at 12 for 2 after a rain-hit third day. Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry helped Australia early in the day with a 91-run stand and helped the team cross the 100-run mark too. However, Sophie Ecclestone provided with the breakthrough to end the dominant stand while Charlotte Dean trapped Mooney in front of the stumps soon. Lanning was able to manage only 12 runs and that left Australia struggling at 130 for 5 with the lead being 170.

Tahlia McGrath and Ashleigh Gardner tried their best as Australia once again managed to go ahead with the lead over 200. Later, Jess Jonassen struck 14 off 6 as Meg Lanning declared with the scorecard reading 216 for 7. For England, Tammy Beaumont started positively as England went into the break at 23 for no loss as well.

The openers added 52 runs in 14.1 overs before McGrath removed Beaumont for 36 off 42. Soon, Lauren Winfield Hill too fell leaving England 94 for 2. England’s middle-order almost reached the finish line with Heather Knight (48), Sciver (58) and Sophia Dunkley (45) before they started losing wickets in the last session.

READ MORE: Heather Knight, Katherine Brunt turn the table on a rain-shortened day

Soon after Knight and Sciver’s dismissal, it was Dunkley who make things easy for the visitors. Her 45 included five fours and two sixes saw England slowly reaching the target and she put Australia under immense pressure during her 32-ball knock. However, Sciver fell in the 41st over, Annabel Sutherland dismissed Amy Jones in the 43rd and debutant Alana King removed Dunkley in the 44th to leave England struggling at 233 for 6 as well.

And, the rest of the batters crumbled under pressure. When England were needing 18 off 19, Anya Shrubsole got run out, with King dismissing Dean. Kate Cross then made 1 off 12 and along with Ecclestone they helped England survive for the last two overs.

Brief Scores: Australia 337/9 dec. (Meg Lanning 93, Rachel Haynes 86; Katherine Brunt 5-60, Nat Sciver 3-41) & 216/7 dec. (Beth Mooney 63; Katherine Brunt 3-24) drew with England 297 (Heather Knight 168, Sophie Ecclestone 34; Ellyse Perry 2-57, Annabel Sutherland 2-62) & 245/9 (Natalie Sciver 58; Annabel Sutherland 3-69).





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