Australia have won the Women’s ashes after an intense T20 at a damp Manuka Bowl in Canberra which saw the match abandoned due to rain with England needing 18 runs from 5 balls.
Australia set a target of 186 after a massive haul of 48 runs in the final three overs, but England made a strong start despite Hampshire’s Maia Bouchier being caught & bowled in the fifth over.
The heavens opened at the end of the eighth over as rain fell & lightning struck, England were leading on DLS if the precipitation had continued but the rain had stopped & the covers were off with no overs lost.
The pendulum swung in the 12th over as two quick wickets put the game in the Australians hands & with the threat of more rain looming the hosts led on DLS.
England dug deep and needed 22 balls from the final over and they got boundary to make it 18 from five balls but the Rain returned at the worst possible time as the covers came out & England were behind the DLS requirement of 174 as the Umpires decided to call the match.
This result seals the ashes for Australia as 10-0 lead is unattainable with six points left to play for.
England Captain Heather Knight saw the positives in her sides performance as she spoke to the media stating “I felt we were in the game & I felt it was se. It was a tough ask, but it was definitely on. I am proud of the way the girls fought.”
Australia’s Grace Harris was looking towards a potential series whitewash as her side wants to “Embarass” England.
The Attention now switches to Adelaide for Saturday’s third T20 match of the series ahead of the Test that begins in a week’s time at the MCG.
The south brace for high winds as Storm Éowyn approaches