Women’s Ashes 2025: Ash Gardner and Alana King perform brilliantly as hosts complete ODI clean sweep
England Women’s hopes of regaining the Ashes are in limbo after suffering a heavy 86-run defeat at the hands of Australia in the third and final ODI in Hobart.
The hosts were 59-4 down due to the dominance of England’s bowlers in the early stages, but a brilliant 102 from Ash Gardner and half-centuries from Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath helped them make a sensational comeback to post 308-8. Helped.
England were more adventurous and active with the bat than in the previous two matches, but none of their top order could match Gardner’s match-winning contribution, with four players scoring more than 30 and Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 61 not out in his second innings. The top score was 222 runs.
Australia now lead the points-based multi-format series 6-0 and Heather Knight’s side need to win all three T20Is (worth two points each) and Test matches (worth four points) to regain the Ashes. equal) must win. The chains drawn will be retained by the holders.
While England’s failure to chase 181 in the second ODI was the result of their own mistakes – unable to take advantage of a rare Australian day off – here was a timely display of startling strength in their class and depth from the world champions. Was reminded.
Troubled by more top-order failures, Gardner added 95 runs for the fifth wicket with Mooney and 103 runs for the sixth wicket with McGrath, who made 55 from 45 balls.
Georgia Wareham, playing for the first time in the series in favor of fast bowler Darcy Brown, played a brutal innings of 38 from 12 balls as England scored 104 runs in their last 10 overs.
England kept pace with Australia’s innings throughout the chase, needing 120 runs from the last 15 overs, but a combination of sensational fielding and relentless accuracy with the ball saw the last six wickets fly for 22 runs.
The T20 series will begin on Monday, January 20 (08:40 GMT) at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
