Women’s Ashes 2023: Late Wicket Loss Dents England’s One-off Test Victory Hopes
Gardner was the chief destroyer in the 2nd innings [Twitter]
At the end of day four in the women's Ashes Test, England found themselves in a precarious position, struggling at 116-5 while chasing a target of 268. This put Australia in a favorable position heading into the final day of the one-off match at Trent Bridge.
Despite a solid opening stand of 55 runs between Emma Lamb and Tammy Beaumont, the introduction of Ashleigh Gardner into the bowling attack sparked a collapse in England's top order. Tammy Beaumont, who had scored a brilliant 208 in the first innings, was the first to depart, nicking the first ball of Gardner's spell to the slips.
Seam bowling all-rounder Tahlia McGrath joined the wicket-taking spree, dismissing opener Emma Lamb, while Nat Sciver-Brunt fell to Gardner's bowling. Within a span of just 11 runs, England lost their top three batters.
England's captain, Heather Knight, became the second English batter, following Lamb, to be dismissed LBW. Unfortunately, both Knight and Lamb were unable to successfully overturn the umpire's decision using the DRS.
Danni Wyatt and Sophia Dunkley then formed a partnership, steadying the innings with a patient 37 runs. However, Kim Garth claimed her first test wicket by dismissing Dunkley, caught behind off an outswinger.
Wyatt and Kate Cross were at the crease when stumps were called. With England requiring 152 more runs for victory with only five wickets in hand.
Ecclestone Claims Maiden 10-Wicket Match Haul
Earlier in the match, Australia resumed their innings at 82-0 after England's late struggles with the ball on day three. However, England made a strong comeback led by the brilliance of spinner Sophie Ecclestone and an inspired performance from the pace attack.
The first wicket to fall on day four was Phoebe Litchfield, misjudging an inswinger from Kate Cross and leaving the ball, which ended up hitting her off stump.
Ace all-rounder Ellyse Perry did not last long either, playing on a delivery from Lauren Filer.
Spinner Sophie Ecclestone continued to make an impact by dismissing the dangerous Beth Mooney, who played onto her stumps and got bowled for 86. Australian captain Alyssa Healy contributed a fighting fifty but eventually chipped a full toss to midwicket for a catch.
Cross and Filer each took two wickets, while Ecclestone claimed the final wicket just before the new ball was due, completing her second five-wicket haul in the match. Australia was dismissed for 257.
Australia faced a significant collapse in their second innings, slipping from 149-1 to 198-7, which added to England's chances. Sophie Ecclestone stood out once again, finishing with impressive figures of 5-63, securing her maiden 10-wicket haul in a one-off Test match.
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: 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: 257 (78.5):
Beth Mooney 85 (168), Alyssa Healy 50 (62);
Sophie Ecclestone 5-63 (30.5), 2/49 (11)
England Women 2nd innings: 116/5 (28)
Emma Lamb 28(40), Danielle Wyatt 20(32)
Ashleigh Gardner 3/33 (9), Tahlia McGrath 1/15 (8).
 "Vaibhav Tripathi")
