Wednesday (July 5) at The Oval, England defeated Australia by a narrow three-run margin thanks to a scintillating fifty from Danielle Wyatt and a composed bowling performance.
Wyatt and her opening companion Sophia Dunkley got England off to a soaring start when they were given the opportunity to bat at The Oval, where runs were scored at a rapid pace. Australia, for their part, performed poorly, yielding far too many extras with the ball and conceding free kicks on the field. At the halfway point, England was in a strong position at 87/1, aiming for a total between 180 and 190.
However, Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner led a strong comeback, and the hosts were soon in trouble at 119/6 with five overs remaining. Megan Schutt conceded 25 runs in the 16th over of the World Champions’ innings, and Sophie Ecclestone contributed a cameo as 67 runs were scored off the final 30 deliveries of the innings to help England reach a formidable total.
Australia began sluggishly, but captain Alyssa Healy soon found her stride as the tourists surged to 58/0 in the PowerPlay, setting themselves up for the big chase flawlessly. However, Healy was run out after a soft dismissal, and a faltering Beth Mooney was then involved in a dreadful mix-up that resulted in the dismissal of Tahlia McGrath, which damaged the innings. Even as Ellyse Perry attempted to fight on at one end, Australia’s formidable batting lineup endured a mini-collapse.
Sutherland and Georgia Wareham provided support for the star all-rounder, but England held their mettle for the most part, reducing the equation to a daunting 50 runs off the last 18 deliveries. Wareham then took Charlie Dean to the cleaners for 19 runs, requiring 31 runs off the final 12 deliveries. However, Lauren Bell kept her cool to bowl an immaculate penultimate over, conceding just 11 runs while also dismissing Wareham.
With 20 to get off the final six deliveries, Perry had to contend with Ecclestone’s guile, and despite the fact that sixes were struck off the final two balls to reduce the deficit to a negligible level, the game was already over prior to that. Australia will lament their sloppiness on the field and a rare batting gaffe, while England continues to fantasize about reclaiming the urn. The host team entered this game requiring to win all of their remaining games in order to keep their Ashes hopes alive; they were able to do so with a morale-boosting victory.
Brief scores: England 186/9 in 20 overs (Danielle Wyatt 76; Annabelle Sutherland 3-28, Ashleigh Gardner 2-39) beat Australia 183/8 in 20 overs (Ellyse Perry 51*, Alyssa Healy 37; Sarah Glenn 2-27, Sophie Ecclestone 2-35) by three runs
