Women’s Ashes 2023: Australia Dominates despite Beaumont’s Historic Double Century
Beaumont's 208 set the highest ever Test score for England women. (AP Photo)
Charismatic opener Tammy Beaumont showcased her charismatic style by scoring an exceptional 208, setting a new record for the highest-ever Test score by an England women's player. However, despite Beaumont's brilliance, Australia maintained their dominance in the one-off Ashes test with a commanding 92-run lead and all 10 second innings wickets in hand by the end of Saturday.
Resuming the third day at 218-2, Beaumont and Nat Sciver-Brunt continued their strong partnership from the previous evening, adding 137 runs for the third wicket.
Sciver-Brunt had a close call early in the day when she was given out lbw to Darcie Brown, but the decision was overturned on review as the ball was sliding down the leg side. Taking advantage of this reprieve, Sciver-Brunt reached her third Test fifty off 70 balls with a well-placed shot to the deep backward-point boundary.
The duo continued to excel, bringing up a hundred partnership in just 132 balls as England crossed the 250-run mark. However, Australia finally found a breakthrough when Sciver-Brunt (78) edged a quicker delivery from off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner, giving the visitors some renewed energy.
The Australian attack regained momentum, and it took Sophia Dunkley 18 deliveries to get her first run. Although she safely navigated the remaining part of the session, she fell for a nine-ball nine soon after the lunch break.
Beaumont continued to shine, surpassing 150 early in the second session. Danni Wyatt entered the scene and immediately signaled her intent with a boundary drilled through covers. Her aggressive knock of 44 balls included seven fours, helping England reduce their deficit to below 100.
The introduction of the second new ball finally came in the 100th over, and shortly after, Wyatt (44) edged Darcie Brown to the second slip. Amy Jones (13) followed suit, offering a simple catch to mid-on off Ellyse Perry. England's last four wickets fell for just 15 runs in a span of five overs.
Beaumont's marathon innings eventually came to an end as she was bowled by Gardner while attempting a sweep shot. England were all out for 463, falling just 10 runs short of Australia's first-innings total.
Australia Asserts Authority with an Unbroken Opening Partnership
Australia further consolidated their advantage as openers Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield formed an unbroken 82-run partnership, reaching 82-0 by the end of the day. Mooney remained unbeaten on 33, while Litchfield contributed 41 runs.
As day four approaches, Australia holds a slender advantage and aims to extend their lead, putting England under pressure to save the match. Beaumont's extraordinary innings will be remembered, but England faces an uphill battle to turn the tide in their favour.
Brief scores
Australia Women 1st innings: 473 (124.2)
Annabel Sutherland 137* (184), Ellyse Perry 99 (153);
Sophie Ecclestone 5-129, Lauren Bell 2-91 (20)
England Women 1st Innings: England 463 (121.2)
Tammy Beaumont 208 (331), Nat Sciver-Brunt 78 (111);
Ashleigh Gardner 4-99 (25.2), Tahlia McGrath 3/24 (12)
Australia Women 2nd innings: 82/0 (19)
Phoebe Litchfield 41 (55), Beth Mooney 33 (59)
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