England v Australia. (Photo Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The only Test of the Women’s Ashes 2023 headed towards an exciting finish as England resumed their second innings on 116/5 requiring another 152 runs to win with Danni Wyatt (20*) and Kate Cross (5*) at the crease. The duo added quick runs to start the day on a positive note for their side. However, after adding 15 runs in the day, the partnership was broken by Ashleigh Gardner who got Cross (13) caught behind to give England their sixth blow.
Amy Jones walked in next but couldn’t do much as Gardner got the second strike of the day by getting her stumped. Meanwhile, Wyatt continued her valiant knock and was desperately seeking some support from the other end. She completed her half-century during the first session and was the only ray of hope left for her team as England required another 100 runs to win.
Sophie Ecclestone looked solid at the crease as she added 24 runs for the eighth wicket with Wyatt. However, she also fell prey to Gardner’s wrath getting out lbw for 10. The off-spinner continued her assault and claimed her seventh wicket as she dismantled Lauren Filer’s stumps.
Wyatt also couldn’t do much with wickets falling all around her and fell prey to Gardner who hit the final nail in the coffin for her side. As a result, Wyatt got dismissed on 54 as England got all out for 178. Australia won the match by 89 runs and Ashleigh Gardner finished her spell with figures of 8/66 in 20 overs. The off-spinner earlier picked 4/99 in 25.2 overs in the first innings and scored 40 (76) with the bat.
Australia get four points for the win
Kim Garth (1/32) and Tahlia McGrath (1/28) picked up one wicket each in the second innings. With this win, Australia got the perfect start to their Ashes 2023 campaign and got four points to their name. The two teams will further lock horns in a three-match ODI series and a T20I series of as many games with a win worth two points in each series.
The team having the most points will in the end will win the Women’s Ashes 2023. In case both teams finish with equal points in the end, Australia will retain the Ashes being the winner of the previous edition.
Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions on Australia’s emphatic win in the one-off Test. Here are some of the Tweets:
Brilliant performance from @AusWomenCricket, showed great skill and endurance over 5 days. @akgardner97 is an all format gun! 👏🏼 #WomensAshes
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) June 26, 2023
Enjoyed the right and left arm off spin of Gardner and Ecclestone! 10 wickets each. #ENGvAUS
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) June 26, 2023
A lot of credit must go to Ash who realised that she needed to work on her bowling. Wanted to get more over spin & bowl an attacking line. So a few years ago worked with Lyon! Has paid huge dividends in this #WAshes Congrats to the Aussie 🥳🥳 4pt lead!
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) June 26, 2023
Only those that know, know. But @ahealy77 BRILLIANT catch. #WomensAshes
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) June 26, 2023
Ash Gardner, 12-fa! Ripper! #WAshes
— Tee Cee (@jamiesontracy) June 26, 2023
Headline:
Gardner Prunes English Lineup#wAshes
— Brian Barrish (@BarrishUSAFL) June 26, 2023
Well, what a cracking test match! Well done Australia, no disgrace to England, the lassies done good too. A great advertisement for women’s cricket. Let’s have a lot more proper test cricket from them. #WAshes
— EK Calderwood (@EKCalderwood) June 26, 2023
Australia halfway towards retaining the Ashes. After taking 4 points from the one-off Test, they need to win only 2 of the 6 white ball matches to retain the Ashes. Absolute favourites now! #WAshes
— PP (@PrashantSport) June 26, 2023
How is my Twitter feed not flooded with Ash Gardner love. What a phenomenal player #Ashes2023 #WAshes
— Ryan (@Jonesry2222) June 26, 2023
Wow @akgardner97 8-66 and the four in the first…sorry Soph she wins. Well played both teams, great opening to the #WASHES
— Michelle Carpenter (@MeeshWUFC) June 26, 2023
Great performance from Ash Gardner. World class #WAshes
— Harry Watt (@saywattharry) June 26, 2023
💥 AUSTRALIA WIN BY 89 RUNS 💥
Ash Gardner 8-66 from 19.5 overs
She picks up her 12th wicket of the game – more than any Australian woman ever in a Test match 🇦🇺
Australia lead the #WAshes 4-0#crickettwitter #ENGvsAUS #ashes pic.twitter.com/M3tqH5tKHw
— Georgie Heath 🎙️ (@GeorgieHeath27) June 26, 2023
A lot of credit must go to Ash who realised that she needed to work on her bowling. Wanted to get more over spin & bowl an attacking line. So a few years ago worked with Lyon! Has paid huge dividends in this #WAshes Congrats to the Aussie 🥳🥳 4pt lead!
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) June 26, 2023
Being an Aussie and a cricket fan is the best thing that can happen to somebody.
@CricketAus #WAshes
— shubham (@think_shubham) June 26, 2023
Those boomer cricket “fans” must be losing their collective minds after Pat leading us to victory last week and now Ash taking 10 fa.#WAshes #Ashes2023
— Sami Dowd (@samidowd) June 26, 2023
Yes!!!! #WAshes pic.twitter.com/Sp0LNUHh2K
— Frankie (@cricket_frankie) June 26, 2023
Australia Women take the thick lead of 4 points as England lose an absolutely remarkable 5-day Ashes Test 🤧
See you in the white ball matches aussies 😼#WAshes
— Ibrahim_66 (The Ashes) (@cric_insane) June 26, 2023
What a wonderful performance from Ash Gardner. Her 8/66 the second best figures ever in the history of Women’s Test Cricket #Ashes #WAshes
— Robert Rice (@RobRice41) June 26, 2023
Damn! #WAshes
— Mark Poulson (@poulsm90) June 26, 2023
Aussies r just too good.#wASHES
— H. (@H_sy_ed) June 26, 2023
Last Test Matches Result
6 Matches were Draw!
2015 ENGW vs AUSW – ENGW 🏴
2017 AUSW vs ENGW – DRAW
2019 ENGW vs AUSW – DRAW
2021 ENGW vs INDW – DRAW
2021 AUSW vs INDW – DRAW
2022 AUSW vs ENGW – DRAW
2022 ENGW vs SAW – DRAW
2023* ENGW vs AUSW – AUSW 🇦🇺#WomensAshes #WAshes pic.twitter.com/AbQ09CnShf
— Kishan Kishor (@itskishankishor) June 26, 2023