King and Garth Lead Australia to Ashes Victory, Extending Their Lead

Australia surged to a 4-0 lead in the Women’s Ashes points tally after a thrilling victory in the second ODI of the multi-format series at Junction Oval. In front of a packed Shane Warne stand, Alana King delivered a sensational spell of leg-spin bowling, reminiscent of her cricketing hero, to inspire Australia to defend 180 […]

King was the standout performer, claiming 4 for 25 in a mesmerizing spell, while Kim Garth and Ash Gardner provided strong support. Garth took 3 for 37, and Gardner’s economical 1 for 23 off 10 overs kept England’s batters under pressure. King described the experience as surreal, particularly playing in front of the Shane Warne stand. “This place is special to me, and having the Shane Warne stand made it even more surreal,” King said after her match-defining performance.

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Despite Australia’s brilliance with the ball, England contributed heavily to their own downfall with poor decision-making and execution. Their collapse was epitomized in the 48th over, when Annabel Sutherland was removed from the attack for repeated no-balls. Tahlia McGrath stepped in and delivered the final blow as Amy Jones forgot to run on a free hit, exposing No. 11 Lauren Bell, who was bowled first ball. England’s stunning collapse overshadowed Australia’s earlier struggles with the bat.

Australia’s innings had its own share of drama, as they lost 8 for 49 after a strong start. Ellyse Perry’s vital 60 anchored the innings, but Alice Capsey’s career-best 3 for 22 and Sophie Ecclestone’s 4 for 35 decimated the middle and lower order. The 12 wickets taken by spinners across the match equaled the record for an ODI in Australia, showcasing the challenging conditions. Despite Australia’s rare collapse, England’s inability to capitalize leaves them in a precarious position in the series.

Knight and Sciver-Brunt Fall as King Spins Australia to Control

Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt appeared to be in control, building a steady 41-run partnership that calmed England’s early innings. However, both batters were unable to capitalize on their promising starts, falling in similar fashion. Knight was dismissed attempting to work Ash Gardner’s delivery square, presenting an easy return catch off the leading edge. King then struck, casting a spell of leg-spin magic that bowled Danni Wyatt-Hodge out with a delivery that drifted into middle and leg, spinning sharply to hit the top of off. Sciver-Brunt followed suit, playing a leading edge to cover after trying to force the ball against the turn.

England’s batting continued to falter as Jones and Capsey briefly steadied the ship with a 36-run partnership, though it came off 75 balls, adding little to the scoreboard. Capsey was initially given out lbw but was reprieved after an inside edge. Jones survived a drop at backward point but the mounting pressure eventually got to Capsey, who was dismissed lbw by Kim Garth. King’s final over was filled with chaos, as Charlie Dean’s lap scoop resulted in an easy catch to Mooney, and Sophie Ecclestone nicked a big spinning leg break, leaving King on a hat-trick with England at eight wickets down.

The drama didn’t end there, as England’s tail struggled to survive under immense pressure. Lauren Filer was dropped at mid-on by Garth, denying King her fifth wicket. However, Filer’s survival didn’t last long, as Jones, attempting a lap-scoop, was involved in a calamitous run-out. Filer had ventured far down the pitch while Jones remained stationary, and with an exceptional relay throw from Darcie Brown to Megan Schutt, Filer was run out, leaving England nine wickets down and needing 34 runs from 42 balls. Despite a brief resurgence from Filer, the collapse was complete when Jones misjudged the number of balls left, costing England dearly.

Earlier in the day, Australia appeared to be cruising after being sent in, sitting at 131 for 2 with Ellyse Perry looking imperious. She had passed 50 for the 38th time in her ODI career and seemed in complete control. However, England’s bowlers fought back. Ecclestone, the world’s No. 1 bowler, had a slow start but struck early, dismissing Phoebe Litchfield for 29. She later trapped Mooney lbw, requiring a review to overturn the initial not out decision. Alice Capsey then wreaked havoc with her part-time off-spin, dismissing key middle-order players, including Annabel Sutherland, whose poor shot selection added to Australia’s woes. Despite the collapse, Australia’s early dominance ensured they maintained control of the game.

Perry’s Strong Start Falters as England’s Spinners Dominate

Ellyse Perry had initially looked in dominant form, reaching 51 from 52 balls with five fours and two sixes. She never went more than 14 balls without finding the boundary, striking a six and two fours in quick succession to bring up her milestone. However, after reaching her half-century, Perry’s scoring slowed dramatically, as she added just nine runs from her next 22 balls. England’s spinners, Sophie Ecclestone and Alice Capsey, applied constant pressure, taking wickets at the other end to tighten the grip on the Australian batter.

Capsey was particularly effective, bowling four consecutive dots to Perry in the 29th over and nearly trapping her lbw with the fourth delivery. Perry managed to survive, but the pressure mounted as Capsey succeeded in trapping her with the fifth ball, forcing a successful review. Capsey then dismissed Ash Gardner, who left a huge gap between bat and pad while attempting an ambitious drive, and lost her off-stump. England seized the momentum, with Knight bringing Lauren Filer back into the attack to remove the struggling Tahlia McGrath. Filer, who had earlier looked uncomfortable, managed to bowl with pace and precision, and her efforts paid off.

Ecclestone returned to clean up Australia’s tail, supported by Lauren Bell, who finished with 2 for 25, including the key wicket of Alyssa Healy. Despite Perry’s strong start, Australia’s middle-order collapse and England’s tight bowling left them with little room to recover. Ecclestone and Bell’s efforts ensured that England kept Australia in check, ultimately limiting the home side’s total and leaving them with work to do in the field.