Sports

England deny Aussies in drawn women’s Ashes Test

Related Story: As it happened: Australia, England draw Women's Ashes Test

Australia remains one win away from wrapping up the Women's Ashes series after England's stoic top order held out for a draw in the historic day-night Test at North Sydney Oval.

After starting the day trailing by 120 runs with 10 wickets in hand, the visitors resisted Australia's attempts to take an unassailable series lead as they batted out the final evening to 2-206 when both captain's agreed to end play.

The result kept England in the multi-formatted Ashes, but with Australia leading 6-4 on points the visitors will need to win all three Twenty20s to wrest back the urn from Australian hands.

After player of the match Ellyse Perry's Australian record of 213 not out batted the English out of the match on Saturday, captain Heather Knight led England's resistance.

Ellyse Perry yawns while fielding for Australia against England in the Women's Ashes Test at North Sydney Oval.

The 26-year-old batted four hours for her plucky 79, while Georgia Elwiss also faced 190 deliveries for her 41 in the 117-run stand.

Both teams struggled to take wickets in the daylight hours across the Test, as the abrasive pitch made it difficult for bowlers to get much out of the pink ball once the shine was gone.

Only debutantes Amanda Wellington and Tahlia McGrath were able to strike on the final day, as they gave Australia a sniff in the first session when they removed openers Tammy Beaumont and Lauren Winfield (34).

Tahlia McGrath receives congratulations from her Australia teammates after claiming an England wicket.

Wellington's dismissal of Beaumont for 37 came from the perfect leg-spinner's delivery that spun past the edge of the bat to take the top of off-stump.

Despite their relief of saving the match on Sunday, the draw would viewed as a missed opportunity for England, who was all over Australia midway through the second day.

External Link: Women's Ashes Test: Australia v England Manhattan

After England scored 280 in its first innings, it had Australia at 3-61 and 4-95 on the second day before Perry's maiden century changed the game.

Her knock was the third highest in the history of the women's Test cricket, and was the best score made in Australia as well as the biggest unbeaten knock.

It allowed Australia to declare at 9-448 — the third-highest score in the team's history — late on Saturday night, but its hopes of winning the Test were severely dented when it failed to get a break through with the new pink ball under lights.

Regardless though, the Test will be considered a success after an Australian record of 12,674 spectators turned out across the four days.

External Link: Women's Ashes Test: Australia v England scoreboard

AAP

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Original Article

Related Posts