Nat Sciver-Brunt hit an unbeaten 111 but England fell short, losing the game by three runs costing them the Ashes. England can hope to secure the ODI series with a win in Taunton on Tuesday but the dream proved impossible for the underdogs.
Australia made one change with leg spinner Alana King coming in for pacer Darcie Brown who was expensive and wicketless in the 1st ODI at Bristol. England won the toss, opting to bowl, desiring to restrict Australia and enjoy another successful chase.
On home territory, Lauren Bell had an early impact with the ball in her first over. Trapping Phoebe Litchfield LBW for 4, the opener didn’t consider a review, bringing Ellyse Perry to the crease.
Bell took her second as Healy edged the ball, carrying to Alice Capsey at gully. Bell’s swing was wildly unpredictable to both herself and the batter. Perhaps an asset today but also the cause of some gifted extras to Australia.
The Aussies looked to rebuild but Bell couldn’t stay put the game and took the catch off the bowling of the inevitable Sophie Ecclestone to send Mooney back for 33. In response, the visitors accelerated to 102/4 within three overs – losing the wicket of Tahlia McGrath to Sarah Glenn but increasing their run-rate.
Two became three for Bell as she struck one again at her home ground with the diving Ecclestone moving to her right and sealing the catch to remove Ash Gardner for 33.
Crucially, Kate Cross missed chance to catch Perry on 63 – the Aussie icon going on to make 91. Sub fielder Charlie Dean caught Perry in the nervy 90s after missing a chance a few overs previously.
The momentum continued to swing back in England’s favour as Sutherland was dismissed by for 50 as Ecclestone registered her third wicket of the day.
It wasn’t all linear as England were punished heading into the final over with Georgia Wareham hitting five consecutive boundaries [6,6,4,6,4] rocketing Australia to finish on 282/7.
England’s requirement for a high run rate wasn’t met as Australia opted to open with spin, Ash Gardner only conceding the one run from the over.
66/1 was the score as Sophia Dunkley departed after a sluggish 13 from 30 balls – an inevitable fate. Only 20 runs were added in the six overs until another England batter fell victim to an Aussie bowler.
A furious Heather Knight trudged off the field as the skipper was convinced that she had made contact, but ball tracking and ultra edge was in favour of Alana King, taking Knight out LBW.
An on-field decision of out was reviewed immediately by Nat Sciver-Brunt, understanding the value of her wicket, ultimately a wise decision and the review gave her a lifeline. A flow of boundaries, boosted the crowd but Beaumont soon made an error, being bowled by King for 60.
King spun her way to a third wicket as she silenced a potential destructive threat in Alice Capsey – Gardner taking the catch at deep mid-wicket. 123/4 turned into 144/5 as England’s Ashes hopes started to fade. With 139 still required, Amy Jones had to allow Sciver-Brunt to accelerate and enable herself to become comfortable at the crease.
Jones, however, soon found rhythm, scoring 37 from 33 balls – including three boundaries. Ecclestone had a brief appearance only scoring a single but Sciver-Brunt continued to anchor the innings, Sarah Glenn at the other end.
There were 21 runs necessary from the final two overs – a big ask for Sciver-Brunt and Glenn. Bringing up her sixth ODI century from 93 balls, there were muted celebrations as she didn’t take her helmet off or raise her bat, aware of the bigger task at hand.
With five needed from the final ball, it proved too much for England. Sciver Brunt’s unbeaten 111 was a villiant effort but England’s Ashes journey was brought to an end at the Ageas Bowl. England have the opportunity to draw the Ashes and win the ODI series with the final game in Taunton.
England XI: Tammy Beaumont, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Heather Knight ©, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt, Amy Jones (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Kate Cross, Lauren Bell
Australia XI: Alyssa Healy © (wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Jess Jonassen, Georgia Wareham, Megan Schutt, Alana King
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