With Australia heading into the last day of the one-off match at Trent Bridge, England was in trouble at 116-5 at stumps on day four of the women’s Ashes Test on Sunday, needing to reach a target of 268.
The middle order of Australia’s second innings stumbled, and England’s opening duo started the chase with a strong 55-run partnership by Emma Lamb and Tammy Beaumont, they appeared to be in control. The hosts were left at 73-4 after a succession of wickets fell after that. Before Sophia Dunkley edged to the keeper earning Kim Garth her first test wicket. Danny Wyatt and Sophia Dunkley put together an impressive partnership.
With three wickets in her nine overs, Ashleigh Gardner has been the top destroyer, the first victim was Tammy Beaumont, who had scored 208 runs in the first innings. She was out on Gardner’s first delivery when she nicked to first slip. “It was equally crucial to bowl in partnerships to put pressure back on England after they bowled us out because I’m sure they came out fairly confident”, Gardner told Sky Sports.
England face arch rivals Australia in test (Credits : ICC)
England appears to be in trouble as they still need 152 runs to win, but they will be looking for a strong partnership on the last day to help them. England’s top three wickets fell inside a period of 11 runs as Tahlia McGrath, a medium pacer, joined the action to eliminate opener Emma Lamb and Nat Sciver-Brunt was caught off Gardner.
Eccelstone takes a five wicket haul in Ashes
Phoebe Litchfield (46) was the first to go, misreading an inswinger from Cross and missing the delivery, which nipped back in and clipped her off stump. Ellyse Perry (25) an all-arounder who played on a delivery from Lauren File did not stay long either. Alyssa Healy, the captain, contributed with a fifty but was out when she hit a full delivery to midwicket for a catch.
Spinner Sophie Ecclestone removed the dangerous Beth Mooney, another player who continued to play and was bowled for 86. Prior to Ecclestone taking the final wicket moments before the new ball was scheduled for her second five-wicket haul of the game, Cross and Filer both grabbed two wickets as Australia was bowled for 257.
