Australia’s Batting Depth Sets England a Tough Target of 308

Australia’s Batting Depth Sets England a Tough Target of 308

Ashleigh Gardner’s maiden international century, coupled with an explosive fifty from Tahlia McGrath, powered Australia to a remarkable recovery in the third ODI in Hobart, putting them in a strong position to extend their Women’s Ashes lead to 6-0. At 59 for 4, Australia was in deep trouble when Gardner walked to the crease. She […]

Ashleigh Gardner’s maiden international century, coupled with an explosive fifty from Tahlia McGrath, powered Australia to a remarkable recovery in the third ODI in Hobart, putting them in a strong position to extend their Women’s Ashes lead to 6-0. At 59 for 4, Australia was in deep trouble when Gardner walked to the crease. She delivered a well-paced innings, adding 95 runs with Beth Mooney and a crucial 103 from 83 balls with McGrath. The pair lifted Australia to a commanding 308 for 8, setting a new benchmark for the highest women’s ODI total at the ground.

Gardner’s century came off 100 balls, with a surge through the 90s marked by back-to-back boundaries off Nat Sciver-Brunt. Her effort was historic, being just the second-ever ODI century scored from No. 6 or lower in the batting order. McGrath’s contribution was also significant; she joined Gardner with Australia at 154 for 5 and turned the match in their favor. McGrath, who had recently faced criticism for her shift down the batting order to No. 7, responded in style, racing to a 38-ball half-century at a crucial time for her team.

The final 10 overs saw a flurry of runs, with 104 coming from them, including a dominant 17 from the last over as Georgia Wareham, who had been recalled, also found her rhythm. Australia’s batting depth was on full display, as these late bursts ensured they posted an imposing total. This thrilling partnership between Gardner and McGrath was a perfect example of Australia’s resilience and depth in the Women’s Ashes series.

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England’s Early Reviews and Australia’s Resilient Recovery

The game got off to a frantic start as England used the DRS three times in the first four overs. They burned both reviews but managed to get the crucial call right when Phoebe Litchfield gloved a pull down the leg side, much to her frustration after a positive start with three crisp boundaries. England’s review mistakes came earlier when Alyssa Healy was incorrectly reviewed for a ball that glanced off her hip, and later, Ellyse Perry was reviewed after attempting to cut Lauren Filer. There was a noise, but the ball was clearly well away from the bat, much to Heather Knight’s dismay.

Perry’s dismissal came soon after, as she flicked a delivery off her pads straight to Filer at short fine leg. Lauren Bell’s muted celebration reflected the fortune of the dismissal more than any planned execution. Healy struggled to get going during the powerplay and was dismissed shortly before the restrictions lifted, pulling Nat Sciver-Brunt to deep midwicket. Australia’s situation worsened when Annabel Sutherland fell to a similar dismissal to her previous one in Melbourne, driving to mid-off and leaving Australia at 59 for 4 in the 15th over.

Despite the mounting pressure, Australia’s determination to never take a backward step was evident, and Ashleigh Gardner responded with a lofty six off Sophie Ecclestone straight down the ground. Beth Mooney then followed suit, striking two boundaries in three deliveries off Charlie Dean. This period of recovery highlighted Australia’s resilience, with both Gardner and Mooney looking to rebuild after the early setbacks.

Gardner and Mooney’s Strong Partnerships Set Up Australia’s Dominant Total

Gardner reached her half-century from 53 balls, while Mooney brought up hers from 63, marking only her second in the last 11 innings dating back to last February. However, Mooney’s innings ended when she attempted to clear the off side against Charlie Dean but only managed to sky the ball into the ring. England had an opportunity to capitalize on the wicket, but it was quickly shut down by the strong partnership between Gardner and McGrath, who dominated in what were the best batting conditions of the series so far.

England eventually dismissed both players in quick succession, with Gardner caught brilliantly by Tammy Beaumont at deep square leg and McGrath dismissed lbw while pulling against Sciver-Brunt. However, Georgia Wareham, who had replaced Darcie Brown in the XI, provided a final flourish to push Australia’s total past 300. This late surge left England with a daunting task, as the Australian total set a formidable target for the visitors.

Tim Ward’s Century Leads CA XI to Easy Win Over Lions

Tim Ward’s century led a strong performance from the Cricket Australia XI, guiding them to a six-wicket victory over England Lions in their opening tour match at the Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane. Ward made a solid 115 before retiring out, and with valuable contributions from captain Peter Handscomb (57), the hosts reached their target of 261 on the third day. Hampshire’s John Turner and Sonny Baker claimed the only two wickets to fall, with Shoaib Bashir adding a late breakthrough on day two.

Ward paced the innings carefully, reaching his century off 195 balls and sharing a 110-run third-wicket partnership with Handscomb. The Lions’ bowlers struggled to break the stand, and despite Baker claiming the early wicket of Henry Hunt, who edged behind to James Rew, the pressure mounted as Ward and Handscomb controlled the game. Handscomb eventually fell to Turner when he top-edged a hook, caught by Hamza Shaikh, and Ward retired out for Lachlan Hearne and Jack Clayton to guide the team to victory.

In response to their defeat, the Lions have called up Nottinghamshire seamer Dillon Pennington to join the squad for the remainder of the tour. Pennington, who is currently at an ECB training camp in the UAE, will bolster the fast-bowling group ahead of the next matches. The Lions are set to play a second tour game against the CAXI in Brisbane next week before the unofficial Test, which will carry first-class status, against Australia A in Sydney starting on 30 January.

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