England Women claim a 51-run victory
23rd August 2013England Women claimed a 51-run victory over Australia in the second One-Day International of the Women’s Ashes Series at the County Ground in Hove today after their batters set a formidable 256 for six. A combination of Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubshole then helped restrict Australia to 205 all out.
Charlotte Edwards and Heather Knight put on an opening stand of 45 in seven overs for England after they won the toss and elected to bat. Knight found the boundary on six occasions before she fell to Megan Schutt for a 26-ball 31.
Sarah Taylor then joined Edwards and the pair put on 70 for the next wicket before Taylor was bowled on 32 by Jess Jonassen. Edwards soon followed for 53, becoming Jonassen’s second scalp with England on 130 for three.
Lydia Greenway and Sussex’s Arran Brindle added 77 in 15 overs to move England past 200. Greenway was eventually stumped off Sarah Coyte four runs short of a fifty, while Brindle fell to the same bowler for 42 in the 46th over. Natalie Sciver, in her first appearance in the Women’s Ashes Series, hit three fours in an unbeaten 26 as England Women posted 256 for six.
Opening bowlers Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole dominated with the ball removing both Australian openers before they could score. The tourists attempted to rebuild through Jess Cameron’s 81, but partners came and went as wickets were shared amongst the England’s bowlers. Brunt claimed the prize scalp of Cameron in the 36th over and England piled on the pressure to bowl Australia out for 205 with 10 balls to spare.
Anya Shrubsole said: “It was a really good all round performance, the batters batted brilliantly and put the runs on the board and we knew we had to come out here and do a job with the ball and we did that. We knew coming out here on a good pitch you always want to take early wickets and that’s what Katherine and I wanted to do.
“The Series is poised again, we’ll review this game, look at what we’ve done well and what we can improve on when we return for the final ODI here on Sunday.”
The 3rd Women’s Ashes Series NatWest Women’s One Day International will be played at thebrightonandhovejobs.com County Ground, Hove on Sunday.
Rights free images from today’s play are available to download from the link below. Please credit all images to: Getty Images for the ECB.