BRISBANE: Australia began their Women’s Ashes defence with a tight two-wicket victory over England in the first one-day international in Brisbane.
Lauren Winfield (48) top-scored for England as they made 228-8, with off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner taking 3-47. Alex Blackwell (67 not out) anchored Australia’s response but the home side slipped to 181-6 with seven overs left. However, Gardner (27) struck two sixes in an important cameo as Australia won with five balls remaining. In the multi-format series, teams earn two points for a win in all limited-overs games, with four points for a win in the Test.
The second ODI begins on Thursday at Coffs Harbour.
The fact that England came so close is a credit to their skill with the ball, after their batting fell short. Winfield and Sarah Taylor (34) put on 56 for the second wicket, but Winfield’s run-out, along with some good fielding from Australia, slowed England’s middle order.
Elyse Villani took a superb catch on the edge of the boundary to dismiss Natalie Sciver for 36, and prevent England from accelerating in the final few overs. In reply, Australia – who will be without injured captain Meg Lanning for the whole series – were reduced to 20-2 as England’s seamers began tightly, and they kept the hosts in check for the first 20 overs.
However, veteran Blackwell steadied the side, and she was helped after Alex Hartley dropped a simple caught and bowled chance with the batter on 36. Blackwell recovered quickly, hitting seven boundaries in her 86-ball innings, and Gardner’s big hitting late in the game swung things Australia’s way.
England came close to pulling off a surprise victory as Amanda-Jade Wellington was run out by Sciver from mid-wicket to leave two runs needed from the final six balls, but Jess Jonassen drove her first delivery for four to ensure Australia’s victory.
Alex Blackwell has scored 25 half-centuries in 141 one-day appearances for Australia
Australia vice-captain Alex Blackwell told BBC: “Our bowlers did a magnificent job. They got together as a group before play. They’re really lifting and wanting to bring more to the table. The discipline they showed today was outstanding.
“A game like that, even though it was not a lot of runs to chase, we were losing wickets and it was hurting us. I know I’ve been playing well coming into this tournament, and I went out there with confidence.
“I take batting at six very seriously – I haven’t done it for very long, but I seem to be flourishing in that role.”
England all-rounder Laura Marsh told BBC Sport: “It was a really good game. Probably for the spectators, it was a good game to watch but unfortunately we were probably a few runs short.
“None of the batters went on and got a big total. They outplayed us today. Match-winning performances is being able to put good partnerships together. We put a few together but didn’t extend them. We’ll learn a lot from today.”