Australia Women beat England Women by six runs as per the DLS method. Tahlia McGrath and Grace Harris’ cameos propelled the hosts to a commendable 185-run first innings score before Danny Wyatt-Hodge’s fifty and Heather Knight’s cameo went in vain due to rain’s monotonous interruption.
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!
So umpire kept them out in lightening & took them off with 5 balls left in front of a big crowd. Good effort by England, but last 3 overs of Aus innings & 3 in middle of Englands when Schutt got wkts were the difference #AUSvENG @bbctms
— David Wilson🐯 (@CityHobo61) January 23, 2025
