A crowd of 19,527 were present at Edgbaston Stadium to witness a thriller between England and Australia in the 1st Vitality IT20 match of the Women’s Ashes. Australia came out on top, sealing the win by four wickets.
Former England player, Fran Wilson, presented her Western Storm teammate, Dani Gibson, with her first England cap ahead of the 1st Vitality IT20 Ashes match of the multi format series. Gibson was included in Jon Lewis’ 15 player Test match squad however did not make her debut. Notably, Birmingham local, Issy Wong, was not in the XI – struggling with consistency throughout the season so far.
Given Australia’s triumph in the test match, giving them four points to start the series, England required five wins out of the six white ball games to secure the Ashes.
Edgbaston became a fortress for Australia last summer with the side winning Commonwealth Gold at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Returning, however, was much different which a packed crowd of 19,527 and an improved England side.
Despite her good form in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, Danni Wyatt fell quickly, being bowled by Megan Schutt. Wyatt had escaped a few overs earlier as Darcie Brown has hit her off stump, the bail miraculously staying put.
The fearless Alice Capsey came to the crease, but it was a short innings as she was caught off guard and ran out by Brown who hit the stumps in response to Capsey’s direct shot. Sophia Dunkley, however managed to anchor the innings, making 56 from 48 deliveries.
A misjudged shot by Nat Sciver-Brunt saw her time in the middle come to an end swiftly but the skipper Heather Knight joined Dunkley to build a vital partnership.
Once again, the Aussies showed their human side, with some poor fielding costing multiple boundaries and midfields which England capitalised off. Dunkley and Knight ploughed on with Dunkley’s half-century coming from 42 balls and the 100-run partnership being reached in the 14th over.
The skipper departed, scoring 29 from 22 balls as she attempted to hit straight to the boundary, finding Annabel Sutherland at deep long-on. England went five wickets down as Dunkley was caught off the bowling of Schutt who registered her second wicket.
It did however bring the highly anticipated debutant, Dani Gibson, to the crease for the first time in and England shirt. The hosts suffered a collapse – Gibson and Ecclestone departing quickly. England concluded on 153/7 – Dunkley being the pick of the batters.
Jess Jonassen starred with the ball, with final figures of 3/25, supported by Megan Schutt who took 2/33.
Chasing 154, Beth Mooney controlled the innings with skipper, Alyssa Healy only making 5. Ecclestone found a breakthrough in the 10th over, dismissing Tahlia McGrath for 40 but Mooney continued to develop a partnership with Ash Gardner. Amy Jones was once again key behind the wickets, taking the catch off the bowling of leggie, Sarah Glenn to see the end of Gardner.
It was two in two for Glenn as Grace Harris was dismissed without scoring, the crowd exhilarated by the actions on the field. The crowd all but quietened as Lauren Bell bowled reverse swing, removing Ellyse Perry for 7 sending roars throughout the ground and keeping England's hopes alive.
With one run to win and four balls remaining, Ecclestone bowled neatly but frustratingly, the Aussies managed to take the final run. England pushed Australia to the final over but the World Champions came out on top. The Aussies are now 6-0 in the multi format series and England must win all of their remaining games.
Debutants: Dani Gibson (ENG)
England XI: Sophia Dunkley, Danni Wyatt, Alice Capsey, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight ©, Amy Jones (wk), Dani Gibson, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Freya Davies, Lauren Bell
Australia XI: Beth Mooney, Alyssa Healy © (wk), Tahlia McGrath, Ash Gardner, Ellyse Perry, Grace Harris, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Jess Jonassen, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown
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