AUS-W vs ENG-W | Twitter reacts to all-round OZ eclipse England to claim Ashes in rain-interrupted contest

Eyeing to attain their first win in the multi-format Women’s Ashes, England’s decision to field first was backed by their fielders after Georgia Voll was run out. However, Beth Mooney’s gracious batting kept the Aussies commanding throughout the 54-run powerplay before Sophie Ecclsetone’s shrewd tactics doused her for 31-ball 44. Charlie Dean got the better of Ellyse and Phoebe Litchfield in the tenth over as Aussies managed 78/4 in ten. The spinners kept things tight before the seamers and Sarah Glenn leaked 33 runs between 13th and 15th over as Aussies reached 122/5 in 15 overs. Tahlia McGrath and Grace Harries peppered the English bowlers with 48 runs coming off the last three to see Australia fetch 185/5 in 20 overs. 

In response, England Women got off to a steady start with Danny Wyatt-Hodge commanding the innings with her batting flair. This is when the weather turned gloomy with lightning and thunderstorms accompanying. With the DLS par score in mind, England reached 48 runs in powerplay whilst losing struggling Maia Bouchier at the cusp of the phase. Fifteen balls later, the play paused due to rain with England two runs ahead as the score read 69/1 in 8.3 overs. Following resumption, Sophia Dunkley and Wyatt-Hodge continued their batting brilliance before summoning Megan Schutt in the 13th over removed the pair after Wyatt-Hodge’s fifty. Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight took some time to settle, allowing the required rate to climb before the latter teed off from the 17th over, gathering 39 runs before rain forced the players to flee. After a four to start the last over, Knight at 43* vented out his frustration as England needed 17 runs off the last five. Eventually, they lost by six runs as per DLS, thereby losing the Ashes to Australia Women.

Agonising defeat!

We're coming off for rain with five balls left in the game 👀#Ashes pic.twitter.com/X75q9i9OfX

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 23, 2025

Fuming Heather!