Australia have retained the women’s Ashes on the back of a sizzling bowling performance from teen speedster Darcie Brown, who drove the hosts to a 27-run victory in Canberra.
Australia made 9-205 before bowling England out for 178 with five overs to spare, as 18-year-old Brown captured 4-34 from 10 overs.
The women’s Ashes have belonged to Australia since 2015 and the best England can now do is draw the series, which has two one-day internationals remaining.
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Brown’s brilliant display gave her the best bowling figures in a women’s ODI at Manuka Oval, which until this match had been Ellyse Perry‘s 4-45 against India in 2016.
“Pace and swing – the combination is lethal,” said Mel Jones on Fox Cricket when Brown bowled a jaffa to snare her first wicket.
England lost opener Tammy Beaumont and first drop Heather Knight in the first four overs as the tourists slumped to 2-10, making the run chase considerably tougher when it had only just begun.
Second drop Natalie Sciver crafted 45 from 66 and low-order batter Katherine Brunt peeled off an unbeaten 32 from 46, but England lacked support from the rest of the order.
Australia secured the win when left-arm orthodox tweaker Jessica Jonassen took a neat catch off her own bowling, bending low and to her right.
https://twitter.com/CricketAus/status/1489182806689206275
Beth Mooney is still recovering from jaw surgery but the middle-order rock had defied the setback in Australia’s innings, top-scoring with 73 from 91 balls, including eight fours and a six.
Mooney didn’t field due to quadricep tightness and is in doubt for the remaining ODIs.
Australia and England will next meet on Sunday at Melbourne’s Junction Oval, beginning at 10.05am (AEDT).