England miss a golden opportunity as Australia protects low score in Women’s Ashes ODI

So close and yet so distant. In the second Women’s Ashes ODI in Melbourne on Tuesday, England put in a tremendous effort, dismissing Australia for 180 after provoking one of their most significant batting failures – eight Australian wickets fell for just 49 runs.

Then, even after faltering to 125 for eight, England somehow crawled to within 22 runs of their goal, thanks to a resilient 47 not out from Amy Jones and the resolve of England’s Nos 10 and 11. Lauren Filer and Lauren Bell faced 29 balls collectively as Jones did her utmost to keep the required run-rate from becoming too high, while also managing the strike.

The closing overs were a frenzied mix: four missed catches from the typically impeccable Australian fielders, leading to Annabel Sutherland being removed from the bowling after delivering two no-balls above waist height in the 48th. Tahlia McGrath took her turn and completed the over. However, the last-minute tension seemed to baffle Jones, who couldn’t manage a simple single off the final delivery of the over, which meant Bell had to confront the onset of Megan Schutt in the 49th. Schutt quickly bowled her, allowing Australia to celebrate at last.

“Alice Capsey mentioned, ‘We placed ourselves in a winning spot and then lost it.'” “We’ve lost a genuine chance to secure two points.” “There will be great discontent among the team.”

This was England’s significant chance to level the Ashes at 2-2, after Australia’s solid middle order had finally been breached by an unexpected player – Alice Capsey’s off-spin. While Sophie Ecclestone generated her typical turmoil at the opposite end, Capsey dismissed Sutherland, denied Ellyse Perry a century, and perplexed Ash Gardner with a spinning off-break. With precise catching and even more precise application of DRS – England needed third-umpire technology to dismiss Perry and Beth Mooney leg-before – England achieved the incredible task of dismissing the defending world champions for under 200 runs. This marked the first occasion since 2009 that they did not achieve that total while batting first in a home ODI. And yet it still wasn’t entirely sufficient.

Leg-spinner Alana King was the one who ultimately stifled England’s pursuit, ending with figures of four for 25. Later, she acknowledged the extent of the obstacle: “We realized we were below standard and we understood it would require some determination. Yet that’s what makes this group exceptional – we never retreat, even when we’re cornered.

Taking advantage of the surprising twist and the deal available at the Junction Oval, she initially bowled out Danni Wyatt-Hodge for a golden duck, then had Nat Sciver-Brunt caught in the cover region. Yet England chose to adopt her: both Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone strangely opting to ramp up the scoring during King’s final over.

Dean was dismissed at slip attempting a scoop, then Ecclestone attempted a cut and nicked it behind. The hat-trick delivery just avoided Filer’s bat by a fraction, after which Filer ran herself out in the 43rd.

Capsey dismissed any claims that England managed the speed of their run-chase inadequately, having taken 77 balls to score 36 runs alongside Jones, potentially leaving England with an excessive task as the game approached its end. “If we had lost an additional wicket or two early, then perhaps we would face criticism for playing a shot prematurely,” she stated. “In that scenario, it’s a lose-lose.”

However, if only Capsey the batter had been able to replicate the achievements of Capsey the bowler, England would have emerged victorious. Her overall contribution in the first match of the Women’s Ashes included scoring four runs and dropping an easy catch at the boundary. In under 48 hours, she picked herself up, boarded a flight from Sydney to Melbourne, and seemingly also managed to persuade captain Heather Knight to let her bowl a few overs. The outcome? Three wickets for 22 runs across seven overs, featuring two wicket-maidens.

Capsey mentioned, “It was truly satisfying to have a chance with the ball.” “I don’t bowl often for England, so when I have the chance, I try to seize it fully.” “I’ve experienced some success in the Big Bash, and my confidence is really high.”

Australia leads four-nil, as both teams travel to Hobart for the final ODI on Friday. England is likely to ask themselves: if we couldn’t defeat Australia on a day when their middle-order fell apart, then when will we?