MATCH REPORT
Follow UsAustralia retained the Women's Ashes with a thrilling three-run win over England in the second one-day international at Southampton despite an unbeaten hundred from home batter Nat Sciver-Brunt.
England, set 283 to win, finished agonisingly short on 279-7 when, with five needed for victory off the last ball, Sciver-Brunt could only manage a single against Jess Jonassen to be 111 not out.
The victory gave Australia an unassailable 8-6 points lead in the multi-format series, with the most England can now hope for is to end all square at 8-8 by winning the third and final ODI in Taunton on Tuesday.
But even if the series is shared, holders Australia will still retain the Ashes.
Key to their success at Hampshire's headquarters on Sunday was the last over of their innings when Georgia Wareham smashed 26 runs off England quick Lauren Bell. Prior to that, however, it was a champion-esque knock from the all-rounder Ellyse Perry (91) which really allowed Australia to recover from such a precarious position.
"Thought it was a good game. We hung in there. Nat was great. Our girls showed grit and determination. You talk about momentum, Wareham's innings allowed us to take a buzz. We were up and about and it was crucial at the back end," Australian skipper Alyssa Healy was in full praise of Wareham's innings.
"I have no doubt that anyone in the 15 can do the job. It was stressful in the end but I really enjoyed it. We pride ourselves to win key moments. Bowlers were set in their plan in the end for which I'm grateful. We still haven't played our best cricket. We came here to win the Ashes and we've done that, it's exciting and congratulations to the group for getting it done," she added.
On the other hand, England's skipper Heather Knight praised the team's efforts, stating that they were nearly there, but insisted that Australia played out of their skin to claw back in the clash.
"I thought we had it in the end, credit to Australia. Two brilliant sides, still an ODI series on the line. I was a bag of nerves in the dressing room. The best women's series in my opinion. Unfortunately on the wrong side of the result but need to get back to get the ODI series," Knight said.
"Disappointed with the series loss. We had the momentum and thought we'd win. Ultimately, we can draw the series and win the ODIs which will be a big achievement. We've played outstanding, Australia have played well and we are equal. It's a hugely positive effort," she had to add.
Double white-ball world champions Australia, victorious in the lone Test of the Ashes, had been 6-0 ahead before England rallied with three wins in a row -- taking two of the three Twenty20s and the first ODI -- to level the series at 6-6.
But Australia's narrow win on Sunday left England still looking for their first Ashes series win since 2014.
