Australia defeated England by 27 runs in the first ODI to retain the Women’s Ashes.© Twitter
Beth Mooney’s 73-run knockout was followed by Darcie Brown’s four-wicket-haul to help Australia beat England by 27 runs in the first ODI of the three-game series at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Thursday. With this win, Australia has taken an 8-4 lead in the Women’s Ashes to keep the urn. England chased 206 and got off to a bad start when Tammy Beaumont (3) and Heather Knight (0) were sent back to the pavilion by Darcie Brown in the fourth over of the innings, bringing the attendance count to 10/2. Nat Sciver then added 29 runs to the total along with Lauren Winfield Hill. However, this tie was broken in the 11th over by Megan Schutt when she defeated Winfield Hill (13) and England were reduced to 39/3.
Nat Sciver made 45 runs but England continued to lose wickets at regular intervals and the visitors were reduced to 103/6 in the 27th left, still 103 runs away from goal. Danni Wyatt and Katherine Brunt gave their best with 20 and 32 strokes, but Australia held on to a 27 point win.
Previously, Beth Mooney knocked out 73 runs when Australia put 205/9 on the board. Sent in bat, Australia was in a tricky position at 67/4 after Rachael Haynes (4), Alyssa Healy (27), Meg Lanning (28) and Ellyse Perry (0) failed to hold the fold for long.
Mooney then teamed up with Tahlia McGrath and the duo made 58 runs for the fifth wicket, but as soon as Australia started to gain the upper hand, Katherine Brunt struck to send McGrath (29) back to the pavilion, reducing Australia to 125/ 5 in the 35th left.
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In the last five overs, Australia managed to add 32 runs to their total, taking the final score past the 200-run mark. Katherine Brunt and Kate Cross each scalped three wickets for England.
Short Scores:Australia 205/9 (Beth Mooney 73, Tahlia McGrath 29; Kate Cross 3-33); England 178 all out (Nat Sciver 45, Katherine Brunt 32*; Darcie Brown 4-34).
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