An Ash Gardner eight-for inspired an 89-run victory for Australia in the Test match securing the first four points of the multi-format Ashes series.
For the first time since 1992, the teams returned for a fifth day at Trent Bridge to wrap up a thriller of an Ashes test match. With England requiring 152 to win with five wickets remaining, the final day was set up to be very exciting.
England’s Danni Wyatt and nightwatcher Kate Cross came to the crease on 20 and 5 respectively but it was a short-lived partnership as Ash Gardner picked up her fourth wicket of the innings, Cross edging through to the keeper.
Danni Wyatt pressed on, but her new batting partner, Amy Jones, barely got off the mark, going for four. England’s hopes briefly rose as the confident and assured Sophie Ecclestone strode to the crease.
Wyatt anchored the innings and Ecclestone was Gardner’s 6th victim of the innings, walking off visibly frustrated before the decision had been fully reviewed by the fourth umpire. England slumped to 176/8, still requiring 92 to win.
Reality struck as the ever present Gardner took another wicket bringing out Lauren Bell to the crease. It looked unlikely that England would survive until after lunch. Australia took the win, as expected, just after midday with Ash Gardner taking her 8th wicket – her 12th in the entire match.
It was a 89 run victory for the Aussies who take the first four points of the multi-format Women’s Ashes series.
England will now need to win at least five of the white ball games to win the Ashes.
Debutants: Phoebe Litchfield (AUS), Kim Garth (AUS), Lauren Filer (ENG), Danni Wyatt (ENG)
England XI: Tammy Beaumont, Emma Lamb, Heather Knight ©, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophia Dunkley, Danni Wyatt, Amy Jones (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell
Australia XI: Beth Mooney, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Jess Jonassen, Alyssa Healy © (wk), Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Alana King, Kim Garth, Darcie Brown
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