2nd ODI, Melbourne, January 14, 2025, 04:35 AM
Australia Women
180/10(44.3ov)
England Women
159/10(48.1ov)
Australia Women beat England Women by 21 runs
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Alana King
Commentry
Right then, that brings this nailbiting game to a close, with Australia Women delivering another solid performance to go 4 up on the points in this edition of the Women's Ashes. The focus now shifts to the Bellerive Oval in Hobart, where the all-important third ODI will take place on January 17, 2025, at 11.05 pm GMT (the previous day). As always, the buildup to the game will start well in advance, so make sure to tune in early. Until then, it’s cheers and goodbye!
Alyssa Healy, the captain of Australia Women is up for a chat now. She says that it was a tremendous game of cricket. Appreciates the bowlers by saying it was a serious effort from every one of them. Also mentions that this is one of the most remarkable wins she has been a part of. States that there was enough in the wicket for the whole day and their bowlers created pressure and held on the chances that came their way. Ends by saying that they need to put up a more complete team performance at Hobart in the final ODI.
Heather Knight, the skipper of England Women is in for a chat. She says the game was there for the taking but the fall of wickets in heaps cost them the game. Adds that they fought brilliantly to make a comeback into this game but are disappointed with the result not going their way. Mentions how well Amy Jones played and says that with No Balls and bowlers being changed, it got tough for her to keep her calm. Concludes that they need to be braver with the bat and fix a few things going ahead.
Alana King is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her outstanding bowling. She says that it was a well-fought win for them, and adds a great performance overall from the girls. Mentions that there was a lot of turn on the surface and they just had to get their lines and lengths right. Ends by saying that she is delighted that they go up 4-0 in this Ashes series and is happy to contribute in the team's success.
It's time for the Presentation Ceremony...
Earlier in the game, Australia Women got off to a strong start, laying the groundwork for a big total. Alyssa Healy looked fluent at the top, while Ellyse Perry was at her imperious best, guiding Australia to a solid 131/2 after 20 odd overs. However, what followed was a collapse no one saw coming. Alice Capsey triggered the downfall by dismissing Beth Mooney, sparking a procession of wickets. Sophie Ecclestone wreaked havoc with a sensational four-wicket haul, while Capsey chipped in with three crucial breakthroughs. The duo dismantled the middle and lower order, restricting Australia to a modest 180 runs in under 45 overs.
With no partners left to support her, Amy Jones was forced to deny singles toward the end, trying to shield the strike and protect the tail. However, this cautious approach proved to be a costly gamble as the required rate climbed sharply. Australia capitalized on the pressure, delivering precise and disciplined bowling that eventually earned them the final wicket to seal the game. With this victory, Australia Women maintains their dominance in ODIs, securing yet another series win. More significantly, they extend their lead to 4 points in this multi-format series, putting England under immense pressure heading into the next fixtures.
Amy Jones and Alice Capsey dug in for a gritty partnership, resisting the pressure applied by Australia’s in-form spinners. Slowly but steadily, they pieced together a crucial 36-run stand for the 6th wicket, helping England navigate into calmer waters. However, the reintroduction of Kim Garth into the attack reignited the drama. First, an on-field decision against Capsey was overturned, and moments later, Phoebe Litchfield dropped a crucial catch off Amy Jones, giving England a lifeline. Garth, however, remained relentless and eventually broke the resilient partnership, dismissing Capsey. Alana King then struck twice in quick succession, tilting the game back in Australia's favour and setting up a tense finish.
Despite the early blows, Natalie Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight managed to weather the storm, building a steady rebuilding partnership. However, the introduction of spin turned the tide once again. Ash Gardner broke the stand by dismissing Knight, and Alana King capitalized on the opening, claiming two quick wickets to further tighten Australia's grip. England found themselves in deep trouble at 84/5 in just under 23 overs, with the game slipping away.
Defending a modest total, Australia Women came out firing, with their pacers delivering relentlessly from the outset. Kim Garth struck twice within the first six overs, removing both openers and putting the hosts firmly in control. Under intense pressure, Natalie Sciver-Brunt struggled to settle, while Australia created numerous half-chances and beat the bat consistently.
AUSTRALI WIN BY 21 RUNS! What a dramatic finish to a thrilling contest as this nail-biter finally comes to a close, easing the tension and racing heartbeats. Australia Women held their nerve in crunch moments, handing England Women another defeat to win the second ODI to go 4 nil up on the points. England came tantalizingly close but couldn’t capitalize when it mattered most, as Australia seized the critical moments to seal the win. Despite the loss, England Women still have everything to fight for in the third game, with crucial points on the line in this multi-format competition.
In over# 49
0W
Megan Schutt 27/1(9.1)
OUT! KNOCKED HER OVER! AUSTRALIA WOMEN COME FROM THE BRINK OF DEFEAT AND WIN A THRILLER! Couldn't be a more perfect ball to a tailender, and this one had Bell's name on it! Megan Schutt steams in full tilt and spears in a pinpoint yorker, right at the base of the middle stump. Lauren Bell is late to bring her bat down in time and the ball beats the bat to crash into the stumps!
48.1
W
OUT! KNOCKED HER OVER! AUSTRALIA WOMEN COME FROM THE BRINK OF DEFEAT AND WIN A THRILLER! Couldn't be a more perfect ball to a tailender, and this one had Bell's name on it! Megan Schutt steams in full tilt and spears in a pinpoint yorker, right at the base of the middle stump. Lauren Bell is late to bring her bat down in time and the ball beats the bat to crash into the stumps!
In over# 48
0
1nb
0
5nb
0
0
0
0
Tahlia McGrath 0/0(0.1)
47.6
.
IN THE AIR...DROPPED! Surprisingly, Jones doesn't run off the Free Hit! This is banged in short by McGrath, Jones pulls it aerially to deep square leg where it's dropped by Alana King. It wouldn't have counted even if she had pouched it. But more importantly, Jones doesn't rotate the strike and exposes Bell to face the next over. Everyone was concentrating on the catch and maybe, Jones felt, the game was done, totally forgetting the Free Hit. Hence she did not run.
Oh dear! Annabel Sutherland has been taken out of the attack and it will be Tahlia McGrath to bowl that last ball which is also a Free Hit.
47.6
1nb
DRAMA! Sutherland fires it over the waist height again and on the body, Amy Jones is deep inside the crease, but walks a few steps ahead and nudges it off the inside half of the bat to deep backward square leg. Lauren Bell is already more than halfway through but Jones sends her back. Bell turns around and scoots to get back to the bowler's end. Does well to reach home. Annabel Sutherland and Alyssa Healy are visibly not happy with the decision by the on-field umpire! But it is called a NO BALL AND FREE HIT COMING UP...
47.5
.
Sutherland follows the batter as Jones shuffles way outside off and digs it short into the surface. Jones goes for a heavy across and hits it to deep square leg but doesn't take the run.
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