Agency :
The one-off Test between Australia and England in the Women’s Ashes ended as a draw at the Manuka Oval on Sunday.
The hosts fell just one wicket short of bowling out England in the fourth innings while the visitors fell 12-run short of chasing down a record total.
Chasing 257, England got off to a decent start as openers Lauren Winfield Hill and Tammy Beaumont put on 52 runs for the opening partnership. Then, Tahlia McGrath gave Australia the breakthrough by taking the wicket of Beaumont (36).
The second-wicket stand of 42 runs for the second wicket came to an end in the 22nd over as Ellyse Perry got the better off Winfield Hill (33) and England was reduced to 94/2.
Heather Knight and Nat Sciver then got together at the crease and the duo scored briskly, and as a result, ended the 72-run partnership for the third wicket.
Sciver scored 58 and Sophia Dunkley 45, after the dismissal of Sciver, England’s innings quickly reduced to 244/9 in the 46th over. In the end, Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone ensured that England does not lose the final wicket and the match ends in a draw.
Earlier, resuming Day 4 at 12/2 with a lead of 52, overnight batters Ellyse Perry (41) and Beth Mooney added 91 runs more to the total and the stand saw Mooney going past the 50-run mark.
Soon after, Beth Mooney (63) was sent back to the pavilion by Charlotte Dean while Meg Lanning (12) was dismissed by Katherine Brunt, Australia was reduced to 130/5 in the 45th over with the hosts’ lead being 170.
Gardner was dismissed after playing a 38-run knock while McGrath scored 34. In the end, Australia declared their second innings at 216/7, with a lead of 256, setting England a target of 257 in 48 overs.
Brief Scores:
Australia 337/9d and 216/7d (Beth Mooney 63, Ellyse Perry 41; Katherine Brunt 3-24); England 297 and 245/9 (Nat Sciver 58, Heather Knight 48; Annabel Sutherland 3-69).
