Australia’s commanding victory in the third Women’s Ashes ODI was set in motion early on by Ash Gardner, whose aggressive play against England’s premier bowler, Sophie Ecclestone, set the tone for the match. Gardner, a key figure in previous Ashes encounters, particularly remembered for her remarkable 12 wickets in the 2023 Trent Bridge Test, continued her dominance. After Australia’s early struggles, losing four wickets within the first 15 overs, Gardner made her presence felt. She dispatched Ecclestone for a six in the bowler’s first over, signaling her intent. A few hours later, she celebrated her first international century, and Australia had posted a daunting total of 308/8.
Despite Australia’s early jitters, where they lost key wickets Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, and Alyssa Healy England’s chase was always going to be a tall order. Gardner’s 100, combined with critical contributions from Beth Mooney (who scored 50), helped Australia recover from their early setbacks and reach a competitive total. As the innings progressed, Australia’s lower order capitalized on the opportunities, with Georgia Wareham contributing a blistering 38 from just 12 balls. Wareham’s efforts in the final overs, particularly taking 17 runs off Ecclestone’s last over, further bolstered Australia’s position.
England’s chase began with promise. Tammy Beaumont and Nat Sciver-Brunt both played well, each scoring half-centuries and keeping the run rate in check. However, the task of chasing down 309 was always going to be difficult, and Australia’s bowlers tightened the screws. Wareham and Alana King were particularly effective, with Wareham dismissing both set batters and King claiming a maiden five-wicket haul. Gardner, who had already made an impact with the bat, continued to shine in the field. Her stunning catch to dismiss Ecclestone, where she managed to parry the ball back into play before catching it mid-air, was a testament to her all-around excellence.
Australia’s fielding, too, was on point. Key catches from Phoebe Litchfield and Kim Garth kept the pressure on England, while the team’s energy in the field remained high throughout. The final 10 overs saw Australia add a rapid 104 runs, aided by England’s tired fielding errors. By the end of the innings, England had little hope of reaching the target, and their defeat seemed inevitable.
Australia’s performance demonstrated why they have been so successful in women’s cricket, with four consecutive World Cup titles to their name. England, on the other hand, had not been able to replicate their past successes in this series. Early on, England had shown desperation, burning both their available DRS reviews within the first 23 balls in an attempt to break Australia’s opening partnership. But despite some early breakthroughs, the weight of Australia’s batting and bowling depth proved too much.
While England’s defeat was significant, there remained a glimmer of hope. If they were to win all three T20s and the Test, they could still salvage the Ashes. However, doing so away from home would require a monumental effort, as Australia’s dominance in the ODI format had been fully re-established.
