King spins Eng women to doom as Aus women win 2nd ODI to dominate Ashes

 

The Australian women’s crick et team has long been celebrated for its ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat as much as for its dominance in the women’s game. Their performance in the second ODI against England at Melbourne’s Junction Oval was a testament to this resilience. Despite setting a modest target of 180—the lowest-ever defended at this venue—Alyssa Healy’s side capitalized on èŕ⁵ŕ⁵⁵England’s wasteful batting to secure a dramatic win and take a big 4-0 lead in the Women’s Ashes, with one ODI remaining.

Put in to bat on a green wicket offering early assistance to pacers, Australia’s openers Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield blended caution with aggression. Skipper Healy’s commanding start, including three boundaries off Lauren Filer in the second over, set the tone. The damp pitch proved tricky, with Filer requiring sawdust to steady her footing after a tumble. Finally it was a fine moving delivery from Bell that dismissed a free stroking Healy for 29 in 19 balls being caught behind .  However, England’s decision to delay Sophie Ecclestone’s introduction until the 18th over baffled many. Once on, Ecclestone struck immediately, dismissing Litchfield for a 50-ball 29.

Ellyse Perry anchored Australia’s innings, forming crucial partnerships with Litchfield and Beth Mooney. Her composed 74-ball 60 ultimately proved decisive in a low-scoring contest. Despite Perry’s efforts, Australia’s innings unraveled, collapsing from 100/2 to 180 all out in 44.3 overs. This marked the first time since 2013 that Australia failed to reach 200 when batting first. A late 51-ball stand between Kim Garth and Alana King, worth 19 runs, was the sole resistance against England’s spin attack. Ecclestone claimed 4/35 in her 10 overs, supported by Alice Capsey’s 3/22 óh seven overs.

Defending 180 Garth gave Australia a strong start by dismissing both English openers inside six overs. Nat Sciver-Brunt and skipper Heather Knight steadied the innings with a 41-run partnership before Knight fell to Ash Gardner. King then delivered a double blow, removing Danni Wyatt-Hodge for a golden duck and Sciver-Brunt (35)  shortly after, leaving England in dire straits.

Amy Jones and Alice Capsey attempted a recovery, adding 36 runs in 77 balls for the sixth wicket. However, Garth trapped Capsey (14) leg before in the 36th over, and Jones was left searching for support. King further dented England’s chase by dismissing Charlie Dean and Ecclestone in the 39th over. Jones fought valiantly, reaching a half-century, but ran out of partners as England’s lower order crumbled.

With 28 runs required from the final three overs and just one wicket in hand, the tension mounted. Annabel Sutherland’s over added to the drama with two waist-high no balls, forcing her removal from the attack. Jones’ decision not to take a single off the final ball of the over proved costly, leaving Lauren Bell to face Megan Schutt’s swing. Schutt clean-bowled Bell on the first delivery of the 48th over, sealing Australia’s victory with Jones stranded at the non-striker’s end.

The final ODI will be played in Hobart, with the ultimate Women’s Ashes trophy awarded to the team with the most points across the multi-format series. Each white-ball win earns two points, while victory in the one-off Test is worth four. With their 2-0 lead in the ODIs, Australia remains firmly in control.