The Women’s Ashes test saw a fantastic win by Australia yesterday with Ashleigh Gardner’s brilliant eight-wicket haul. This was the second time in history that a women’s test lasted until the fifth day. Australia was in a strong position and needed five wickets to win, while England needed just 152 runs. Gardner shifted the momentum on their side and took the last five wickets, helping Australia register a stunning win.
England’s Tammy scored epic 208 runs
Australia chose to bat first in the match and put 473 runs on the board in the first innings, which included brilliant knocks by Annabel Sutherland and Ellyse Perry, with the former making 137 runs (not out) and the latter scoring 99. England bounced back as Tammy Beaumount scored a phenomenal 208 runs, and with this, Tammy also became the first English Woman batsman to score a double century in tests.
Australia turned the tables
During Australia’s second innings, England’s left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone took her second five-wicket haul of the match, and Australia went all out at 257. With a target of 268 runs at their front, England made a good start and scored 55 runs without losing a single wicket, but then there was a turn of events as they lost four wickets in five overs and the Australians were back in the game. As the English batting order collapsed, Danni Wyatt, who was playing her first test, scored a crucial 50. Danni has played over 100 ODIs and T20s, but this was her debut in the test format.
Gardner’s incredible spells led to team’s victory
Australia’s right-arm offspinner Gardner bowled incredible spells in her overs and claimed eight wickets, giving just 66 runs. The 26-year-old was the most expensive player in the Inaugural Women’s Premier League this year, and she proved her worth with this epic performance that turned the tables on the match. In the history of Women’s cricket, India’s Neetu David has the best bowling figures record with 8/53 against England in 1995, and now Gardner’s bowling figures have become the second best.
After receiving the player of the match award, Gardner said, “I wouldn’t have dreamt of it, but it showed how important it is to have five days in a test match to get the results. There was a bit of luck involved with the pitch conditions, and we really bowled well”. This win gave Australia four points in the multi-format Ashes series, which includes three T20 internationals and the same number of ODIs.
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