In the third one-day international, which England won by 69 runs at Taunton on Tuesday, Nat Sciver-Brunt finally reached a century against Australia in a match that ended all square at 8-8.
Inflicting Australia’s first bilateral ODI series defeat since 2013, England’s victory under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern rulebook for rain-affected games.
The foundation of England’s 285-9 was Sciver-Brunt’s 129, her second hundred in three days against Australia after an unbeaten 111 in an agonizing three-run loss in the second ODI at Southampton.
Australia, who are world champions in both ODI and Twenty20 cricket, were bowled for 199 when the amended goal of 269 runs from 44 overs proved to be too much for them. Seamer Kate Cross claimed 3-48.
However, with an 8-6 advantage going into this game, the Ashes were already guaranteed to be retained by champions Australia, who had won the only Test of this series.
Cross told Sky Sport, “We definitely think we’re closing the gap to Australia.”
“The final score of 8-8 and the fact that it’s being sent back to Australia doesn’t really feel fair.”
However, Sciver-Brunt had the delight of seeing England triumph against Australia with the help of her fourth ODI century in five innings.
“Today, I attempted to handle everything one at a time. After they had taken two early wickets, I came in in some fairly difficult circumstances, the all-rounder added.
Ashleigh Gardner of Australia acknowledged: “England have outplayed us, and played a fearless brand of cricket, and it is something we should look at.”
After losing the toss, England quickly found themselves in difficulties when openers Tammy Beaumont and Sophia Dunkley both lost their matches with just 12 runs scored.
Sciver-Brunt, who had been dropped on 54, and England captain Heather Knight repaired the damage with a third-wicket partnership of 147 before the captain was dismissed for 67 by leg-spinner Alana King.
Huge cheers welcomed Sciver-Brunt, though, as she finished a 126-ball century with 11 fours and a six before being bowled out by Jess Jonassen.
Alyssa Healy, the captain of Australia, was bowled by Cross as they lost early wickets as well.
Ellyse Perry led the way with 53 before giving a steepling catch to Alice Capsey off Cross during a nearly hour-long rain break that left Australia needing to score at seven runs per over.
Gardner kept Australia in the game until she was eliminated. Georgia Wareham was superbly stumped by England’s wicketkeeper Amy Jones, effectively securing England’s win.
After losing the first Twenty20 and a Test that was worth four points to the victors, England was down 6-0.
Nevertheless, they came back to tie the game at 6-6, winning four of the seven games and both white-ball sets.
To wrest the Ashes back from Australia for the first time since 2014, however, it wasn’t quite enough.
Knight said, “Maybe there could be an odd number of points for something so there couldn’t be a draw,” when asked how the scoring system may be changed in the future to avoid a seven-match series from concluding all square. I’m not really sure.