England Women. (Photo Source: Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)
The much-awaited ODI series of the Women’s Ashes 2023 got underway on July 12, Wednesday, as England and Australia crossed swords at the County Ground in Bristol. All three games hereon were must-win for the hosts as they looked to clinch the Ashes series, while the visitors were just one win away from reclaiming the Ashes. But eventually, England outplayed Australia to wake a 1-0 lead, thereby leveling the Ashes series 6-6 and keeping their hopes of winning it alive.
It all began with Australia winning the toss and deciding to bat first. But the decision seemed to backfire when seamer Kate Cross sent Australian skipper Alyssa Healy packing on the fourth delivery of the game. Australian top-order batters Phoebe Litchfield (34 off 36) and Ellyse Perry (41 off 51) tried to overcome the early loss and built a 61-run partnership for the second wicket before the former was dismissed by Natalie Sciver-Brunt, courtesy of a brilliant catch by Sophie Ecclestone.
Australia then rode on Perry’s composed knock and middle-order batter Beth Mooney’s unbeaten 99-ball 81, which helped the visiting side to keep going. The English bowlers kept picking wickets at regular intervals and derailed Australia’s momentum but they could not stop Mooney from her assault. Some late assistance by Jess Jonassen (30 off 39) and Georgia Wareham (12 off 6) helped Australia close their innings at 263/8 in 50 overs.
Skipper Heather Knight leads England’s record-chase
England too received a major setback at the start of their chase, as Perry succeeded in dismissing opener Sophia Dunkley in the fourth over. But Tammy Beaumont and Alice Capsey set the tone straight as they stitched up a 74-run partnership for the second wicket. Beaumont fell just three runs short of a half-century and was dismissed by Wareham, and Capsey followed her next as Australian bowlers managed to get two big wickets.
While skipper Heather Knight kept the scoreboard ticking, she could not form a formidable partnership in the middle. Her 42-run stand with Nat Sciver-Brunt kept England in race, but the latter’s wicket led to shift in the momentum. Danni Wyatt, Amy Jones, Sophie Ecclestone, and Sarah Glenn failed to put up a show as Knight took charge of the run-scoring.
Some brilliant assistance from Kate Cross under pressure during the final few overs of the chase saw England getting back into the game. Kate notched up four boundaries and added crucial runs on board while forming an unbeaten and winning partnership of 32 runs with Heather Knight for the ninth wicket. Knight scored the winning runs and scored 75* off 56 as the hosts clinched a magnificent victory, thereby putting an end to Australia’s 15-match ODI winning streak.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
ENGLAND WIN BY 2 WICKETS AND LEVEL THE WOMEN’S ASHES 💥
Think @AlexHartley93 is a bit happy with that one 😂 #WAshes #Ashes #ENGvsAUS pic.twitter.com/SphBwl0snv
— Georgie Heath 🎙️ (@GeorgieHeath27) July 12, 2023
ENGLAND HAVE DONE IT WHAT A PERFRORMANCE WHAT A SERIES !!!!!!
FROM 0-6 TO 6-6 THE ASHES ARE WELL AND TRULY ALIVE 😍😍😍#Ashes pic.twitter.com/ZFHZvRQtjS
— England’s Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) July 12, 2023
Megan Schutt joins Ellyse Perry as the second Australian to take 250 international wickets across all formats of the game! 👏
Incredible longevity #Ashes pic.twitter.com/jOdt3BlA6C
— Australian Women’s Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) July 12, 2023
GET IN!!!!!
Never in doubt!!!!#EnglandCricket #Ashes pic.twitter.com/5mEK3omxab
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 12, 2023
What have we just witnessed! The Women’s Ashes series is very much alive. Outstanding batting once again from England Captain @Heatherknight55, who guided her team across the line alongside an unlikely hero with the bat @katecross16 #WAshes https://t.co/RKYaGuXVtw
— Alex Blackwell (@AlexBlackwell2) July 12, 2023
Ecclestone you cannot do that!!! Hahahahahahahaaha #Washes #Ashes2023
— Alexandra Hartley (@AlexHartley93) July 12, 2023
WHAT AN ASHES SUMMER THIS IS!
Every match in the women’s & men’s series a thriller.
Can our nerves take any more?
Next stop Sunday at the Ageas Bowl with @bbctms on air 1045pm. #WAshes #MAshes pic.twitter.com/p4UwseA00P
— Adam Mountford (@tmsproducer) July 12, 2023
Cannot remember a time where Australia lost three consecutive matches across formats. Whatever happens from here, it has been an unbelievable comeback by England in the women’s Ashes.#WAshes pic.twitter.com/G552rjWuIN
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) July 13, 2023
#WAshes stands at 6-6!
Who is surprised?
If any. Shouldn’t be.
England were the only side who could challenge these mighty Aussies. They had builded up an excellent squad. But, their performance was due. Now, they r giving it back. #WAshes
— 𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔹ℍ𝔸𝕄🇮🇳 (@CricShub_) July 13, 2023
If England Women come back to win this, It would seriously have to a consideration for the best comeback in sporting history. This Australia Women’s team are quite literally one of the greatest sports teams of the past 50 years #WAshes
— Matthew Shotter (@MatthewShotter) July 12, 2023
Just watched a highlight compilation of the #WAshes ODI chase. Some absolute shots there by @katecross16.
— Nick (@NickIBIS) July 12, 2023
The Women’s Ashes are reaching a crescendo
After AUS jumped out of the blocks – winning the one-off Test & the first T20 – ENG has stormed back
Three wins in a row … the last two T20s & first ODI overnight
Two ODIs remaining … win both & they regain the Ashes
🏏 #WAshes
— Glenn Mitchell (@MitchellGlenn) July 12, 2023
@katecross16 @englandcricket inspiring the next generation…..looking up to your idols #crossscoop #washes pic.twitter.com/joVqJPS3dw
— Joseph O’Neill (@Joseph_ONeill) July 12, 2023
KATE CROSS AND HEATHER KNIGHT MOTHER ENERGY #WASHES
— moona is seeing 5SOS LIVE ⭐️ (@moonapriv) July 12, 2023
ENGLAND WOMEN YOU LITTLE BEAUTIESSSSS #WASHES
— moona is seeing 5SOS LIVE ⭐️ (@moonapriv) July 12, 2023