Women’s Ashes 2025: England collapse, Australia take 4-0 lead
England missed a golden opportunity to level the Women’s Ashes as they failed to chase 181 to win in a thrilling encounter at the Junction Oval in Melbourne.
With one wicket remaining, England needed 22 runs to win off the last two overs when Lauren Bell was bowled by Megan Schutt for one, reducing the score to 68–2 and 120–5 to 159 all out. .
England were given a lease of life when Annabel Sutherland was removed from the attack after bowling two no-balls in the 48th over, but Amy Jones – who remained unbeaten on 47 – failed to recognize that she should have run away with a free hit which That was the last ball of the over.
This left number eleven Bell facing six balls from Schutt and failed to give Australia a potentially series-defining win and a demoralizing defeat for England.
It was a blow to England’s bowlers, who produced a brilliant performance to bowl out Australia for 180 inside 45 overs, with spinner Sophie Ecclestone taking 4-35 and Elise Capsey 3-22.
The hosts suffered a similarly disastrous defeat when Capsey dismissed Ellyse Perry for 60, losing their last eight wickets for just 49 runs.
But England are unlikely to get a better chance of getting back into the series against such a dominant team, and as the pressure began to mount, the lack of tactical awareness was particularly worrying.
The ODI series will conclude in Hobart on January 16, before three T20Is, with two points each and four points for the one-off Test match.
More to follow.
