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Australia win Women’s Ashes series after miserable England batting display
England 129; Australia 131-5 – Australia win by five wicketsHosts take 10-4 lead in the series with one ODI remaining
Australia strolled to victory in the second one-day international of the women’s Ashes, winning the overall series with a game to spare having retained the trophy in the previous outing. Until this point England had provided a good contest, but at Melbourne’s Junction Oval they were rolled for a paltry 129 after being sent in to bat and bowled out in 42.5 overs. Australia chased the score five wickets down in with nearly 15 overs to spare.
This was Australia’s first Ashes win at home in the multi-format style that combines 50-over, 20-over and Test cricket. Charlotte Edwards led England to a win in 2013-14, and Heather Knight’s 2017 team tied: the Australians went large on celebrations after retaining the trophy, only for England to win the final two matches. The same scenario was possible this time, England trailing 4-8 on points with two games to play, but none of the Australian players or staff from last time had forgotten that frustration. History never looked a chance to repeat.
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