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A Katherine Brunt-inspired England has bounced back strongly from losing the Ashes, smashing the Australians by 40 runs at Manuka Oval in the second T20I of the summer.
England came into the game already having lost the Ashes, but they still had the chance to tie the series at eight points apiece, and to win the T20 series embedded in it.
Winning the toss and deciding to bat on a hard wicket, Tammy Beaumont and Danielle Wyatt got off to a good start, Wyatt slamming a quickfire 19 before she was caught at cover by Haynes off the bowling of Megan Shutt, who has had an outstanding summer.
Beaumont soon followed, LBW to Jonassen for nine, but it allowed Natalie Sciver (40) and Sarah Taylor (30) to come together for a vital 45 run stand that set the foundations for England’s innings.
Katherine Brunt managed to hit some lusty blows at the end, as wickets fell around her, to end up on 32 not out, blasting two monster sixes in her knock.
It allowed England to end their innings at 6/152, which would have been more if not for a fantastic final over from Megan Schutt, who ended up taking 2/16 off her four overs.
Australia came out strongly, with Beth Mooney (17) and Alyssa Healy (24) hitting some good shots to see Australia race to 45 in the fifth over.
However, their good start would soon be wasted, with the Australians losing 5/20, starting with the run out of Mooney.
Captain Rachael Haynes (14) came together with Delissa Kimmince (17) for a 25 run stand to give the Australians some hope, but when Haynes was caught at cover off the bowling of Ecclestone (2/24), the game was over.
Jenny Gunn ended the pick of the bowlers, grabbing 4/13 off only three overs, whilst Katherine Brunt bowled superbly to take 2/10 off her four overs, ensuring that she would take home the player of the match award.
The third and final T20I will be played on Tuesday, again at Manuka Oval, with England having the chance to tie up the Ashes series, and win the T20 series itself.
Final score
England 6/152 defeat Australia 10/112 by 40 runs
The Ashes are over, but there still is so much to play for as Australia host England in the second T20I of the Women’s Ashes at Manuka Oval, Canberra on Sunday afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2:35pm (AEDT).
Thanks to a Beth Mooney masterclass, Australia wrapped up the Ashes in convincing fashion on Friday night, storming home 6 wicket victors, winning the series 8-4.
It was a masterful display from Mooney, hitting a blistering 86 not out off just 56 balls, chasing down the meager total of 132 with plenty of balls to spare.
It means the Ashes have been retained by the Australians, and that the urn is safely in the grasp of Rachael Haynes. However, don’t expect the series to be finished, or that there is not much to play for.
As we travel to Canberra, for the first international game this series in the nation’s capital, Australia will be eyeing off a T20 cleansweep, to properly reflect their dominant series, and to stamp their authority on the world of cricket by demolishing the reigning world champions.
For England, they have these two chances at redemption, and to tie the series at eight points apiece. They have struggled this series, and would be fearful of the fact that they could head home with only one win under their belt for the Australian summer.
Australia: Beth Mooney
The obvious choice, the left-handed opener looked a class above the rest on Friday, batting with precision, power and placement. She was a joy to watch, playing excellent cricket shots, mixed with pure, brute force. If Mooney can fire for the Aussies, you’d expect them to register a big total, or to chase one down with the ease that they had on Friday night.
England: Danielle Wyatt
The only English player that seemed to fire a shot on Friday, Wyatt came to the crease with the English at 4/16, in all sorts. Batting with power and timing, Wyatt put on a 60 run stand with Natalie Sciver, and took to the Australian bowlers. If she can do so again on Sunday afternoon, England could well be on their way to a second victory this summer.
The Australians have tasted Ashes success, and now will want to keep their foot on English throats. They have the chance to play with freedom, and the pressure of the series lifted.
England, on the other hand, may be playing for spots, and we saw the other night that tensions may be wearing thin in the English camp.
Australia will look to do exactly what they did the other night, and it should play out exactly how it did on Friday.
Australia by 5 wickets
Can Australia continue their winning ways? Or will England salvage some pride, and extract something out of what has otherwise been a disappointing series? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2:35pm (AEDT).
Follow Dylan on Twitter @dylcarmody77
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