Australia Fends Off Nat Sciver-Brunt's Heroics To Retain Ashes 2023 With Thrilling 3-Run Win
Nat Sciver-Brunt scored a stunning ton (Twitter)
In a nerve-wracking face-off in the second ODI of the Women's Ashes 2023, Australia Women managed to cling to a nail-biting three-run victory over England Women at The Rose Bowl in Southampton, thereby retaining the coveted Ashes trophy.
Australia holds on despite Sciver-Brunt threat to retain Ashes
Nat Sciver-Brunt nearly spearheaded a victory with an exceptional century for the home team, but the resilient Australians showed their mettle by bouncing back to secure a thrilling win after three consecutive defeats.
Sciver-Brunt almost pulls off the impossible
Chasing a massive total of 283, England began on a high note, storming ahead with 62/0 in the first powerplay. However, Australian spinners swung the momentum back in the tourists’ favour by dismissing Sophia Dunkley and Heather Knight in subsequent overs.
Alana King's remarkable spell further crippled England's offensive, claiming wickets of the robust Tammy Beaumont and Alice Capsey, pushing England into a dicey situation at 123/4. Danielle Wyatt’s stay at the crease was brief as she was dismissed by Ashleigh Gardner for 2 leaving the hosts reeling at 144/5.
However, the match was far from over as Sciver-Brunt stepped up to the plate, scoring a gutsy century that kept England's fight alive. Complementing her first was Amy Jones with whom she stitched a 57-run partnership followed by Sarah Glenn, who provided steady support, fending off the Australian onslaught.
Even as minor fielding errors crept into Australia's play, they maintained their nerve to clinch a nail-biting victory. Sciver-Brunt remained unbeaten on 111 and nearly pulled of a miracle but in the end, the hosts fell short by just three runs.
How the Aussie innings panned out
Earlier in the day, Australia got off to a shaky start with openers Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield dismissed early by Lauren Bell. The subsequent fifty partnerships of Ellyse Perry with Beth Mooney, Gardner, and Sutherland steadied Australia's innings and looked set to shift the balance in their favour.
However, England's Sophie Ecclestone dealt a heavy blow, removing both Perry, just nine shy of her century, and Sutherland in a game-changing over. England seemed to have regained control as Australia went into the final over at 256/7. But the pendulum swung again when Georgia Wareham unleashed a blistering attack in the last over, guiding Australia to a huge total of 282/7.
Brief Scores
Australia: 282/7 (50)
Ellyse Perry: 91 (124), Annabel Sutherland: 50 (47)
Sophie Ecclestone 3-40, Lauren Bell 3-85
England: 279/7 (50)
Nat Sciver-Brunt: 111* (99), Tammy Beaumont: 60 (62)
Alana King 3-44, Ashleigh Gardner 3-54
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