Women’s Ashes 2023: Sophie Ecclestone’s one-handed stunner ends Phoebe Litchfield’s innings in first ODI

Sophie Ecclestone catch. (Pic source: ECB)

England and Australia are continuing their heated rivalry in the Women’s Ashes 2023 as the two teams are taking on each other in a three-match ODI series. The first ODI is being played at County Ground, Bristol on Wednesday, July 12 where Australia captain Alyssa Healy has won the toss and elected to bat first. Australia didn’t get off to the best of the starts as captain Healy got dismissed in the first over itself getting lbw against Kate Cross.

Following her dismissal, Phoebe Litchfield (34 off 36) and Ellyse Perry (41 off 51) added 61 runs for the second wicket. However, their partnership was brought to an end following a spectacular one-handed catch by Sophie Ecclestone at mid-off.

On the first ball of the 13th over, Litchfield tried to smack Nat Sciver-Brunt over mid off, however, she failed to clear Ecclestone who completed a one-handed stunner.

Watch the catch here:

SOPHIE ECCLESTONE, THAT IS UNREAL!!

An Eccy Speccy™️#EnglandCricket #Ashes pic.twitter.com/lM0bOee86W

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 12, 2023

Following her dismissal, Perry got involved in a 37-run stand with Beth Mooney. Perry fell nine-run short of her half-century getting dismissed by Sarah Glenn. Tahlia McGrath (24 off 36) became England’s fourth victim as she got her stumps destroyed by Alice Capsey in the 30th over.

After 30 overs, Australia were 144/4 with Beth Mooney (31* off 53) and Ashleigh Gardner at the crease.

Australia leading the series by 4-2

Notably, England need to win the ODI series by 3-0 to regain the Ashes as Australia are leading the points-based series by 6-4. The Alyssa Healy-led side won the one-off Test (4 points) and the first T20I (2 points) to gain a massive lead in the series. On the other hand, England made a remarkable comeback by winning the remaining two matches and sealing the T20I series by 2-1.

Australia are just one win away from retaining the Ashes as they won the previous edition in 2022. The remaining two ODIs of the series will be played on July 16 and 18 in Southampton and Taunton, respectively.