Women’s Ashes 2023: England defeated Australia in the first ODI by two wickets

The Women’s Ashes series is now tied at six points each after England skipper Heather Knight led her side to a two-wicket win against Australia on Wednesday in the opening ODI.

Australia won the toss and elected to bat in Bristol, and Beth Mooney top-scored for the visitors with 81 as the tourists took advantage of some careless fielding by England to record 263-8 from their 50 overs.

As wickets continued to fall frequently, Mooney’s knock served as the foundation for Australia’s score. However, England squandered five opportunities and failed to stump him.

Before Jess Jonassen contributed with 30 down the order for the Ashes holders, Phoebe Litchfield, who batted first, produced 34 and Ellyse Perry, who batted next, made 41.

England responded with a bang, reaching 103-1 thanks to Tammy Beaumont (47) and Alice Capsey, but the hosts soon started to falter in a game they had to win.

England was reduced to 163-4 when Nat Sciver-Brunt was down for 31, but Knight remained unwavering in the face of a lower order collapse that left her team requiring 29 runs to win with just two wickets remaining.

The highest-ever ODI chase by England was completed by seamer Kate Cross, who scored 19 runs off 20 balls in an unbroken partnership with Knight.

Each game has been quite tight. The series has been fantastic. I wanted to stay for the conclusion. It was pure delight,” Knight said.

“The task was challenging there. It seemed to be evaporating, in my opinion. What a hero, Kate Cross. When she first entered, she was anxious, but we calmed her down. A highly good team being defeated is remarkable.

After victories in the last two T20 internationals, England rolled to a third consecutive victory against the world champions, ending Australia’s 15-match winning streak in ODIs.

Australia won the one-off Test and first T20, therefore England still has to win the two remaining ODIs to recapture the Ashes for the first time since 2014.