England win consecutive T20s to keep the Ashes alive at the home of cricket in front of another record crowd. Australia registered consecutive losses for the first time since 2017, a turning point for England.
Off the back of their first Ashes win, the sides headed north of the river to play the final T20 of the multiformat series. The sides were unchanged, but England’s approach differed from the previous match with Charlie Dean and Nat Sciver-Brunt opening the bowling.
England’s start was shaky with poor fielding resulting in back-to-back boundaries for Alyssa Healy. The Australian opener was then dropped by Sciver-Brunt on 13, but it was not costly as Dean struck, trapping Healy LBW for 16.
New into the international scene, Dani Gibson took her second wicket for England with Tahlia McGrath chipping the ball directly to Alice Capsey at mid-off.
Crucially – as runs were flowing – Beth Mooney attempt to ramp Sciver-Brunt but it was a poor shot, and the bails were sent flying at the Pavilion End.
The outstanding Amy Jones displayed some unbelievable wicket-keeping stood up to the stumps, as Sciver-Brunt bowled a short bouncer and Jones stumped the destructive Ash Gardner for 32.
Australia has started to find some rhythm as Ellyse Perry and Grace Harris settled at the crease. As predicted, however, a dark cloud emerged and there was a brief shower of rain as the Aussies were 106/4 with 5 over remaining.
Play resumed swiftly and the Aussies were fired up, finding their momentum, once again, after the break. Ellyse Perry struck 34 from 24 balls but Lauren Bell hit Perry on the pads, the on-field umpire ruling it out.
In a turn of events favouring England, DRS was down in the ground, meaning that the umpire’s original decision was stuck with – out. A frustrated Perry trudged off but that only served as a catalyst for Harris to fire.
Ecclestone removed Sutherland in the final over but there were muted celebrations as she stood frustrated at the end of the mark. There was a run out from the final delivery, but Australia wrapped up on 155/7.
With the rain continuing during the innings break, play was pushed back, and England’s innings was reduced to 14 overs. There was a four over powerplay with a revised target of 119 for England to aim for.
A slow start for England didn’t last as Danni Wyatt – who starred at the Oval on Wednesday night – coasted to 26 from 15. Wyatt was caught behind by Healy to head back to the pavilion after her cameo.
Two in two balls came for Australia as Sophia Dunkley attempted to play a pull shot but skied the ball up and into the hands of Jess Jonassen, swinging the momentum in Australia’s favour. Alice Capsey, who has been out of form recently, had a important role to play, heading to the crease.
Intent was clear as the 18-year-old, struck a six early on in her innings, energising the 21,610-record crowd in attendance.
Australia had a chance at another breakthrough as a sliding chance for catch from Georgia Wareham was fumbled. England’s boundaries were flowing, with Capsey accelerating the run-rate.
Heading into the final five overs, England required 36 from 30 balls with Capsey on 29 from 16 balls and Sciver-Brunt on 14 from 13 deliveries.
The 11th over was key for Australia as Wareham only conceded four, demonstrating her control. Megan Schutt was back into the attack, but the fearless Capsey guided the ball straight into the stands, followed by a boundary to the pavilion.
Capsey’s performance of 46 from 23 was ended as she hit a full toss to deep mid-wicket, walking off, annoyed with her error. England edged closer, requiring 8 from the final two overs.
As Sciver-Brunt was dismissed, the job was almost done with two runs left to win from the final over. A consultation between the bowlers and the skipper saw Jonassen tasked with bowling the final over.
The drama continued in North London with the England skipper Heather Knight being trapped LBW by Jonassen. Dani Gibson – on her third time in an England shirt – was sent to the middle to be England’s hero.
Gibson was England’s hero as she reverse swept the ball for four, England winning by 5 wickets keeping the Ashes alive.
The last time Australia lost back-to-back games was 2017, Australia not losing a bilateral series for six years.
England XI: Sophia Dunkley, Danni Wyatt, Alice Capsey, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight ©, Amy Jones (wk), Dani Gibson, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Charlie Dean, 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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