Australia’s Ash Gardner devastates England, leading Australia to seize control of the women’s Ashes Test

In a thrilling turn of events at Trent Bridge, Australia’s hopes in the women’s Ashes Test took a tumble as they went from a strong position of 1-149 to being all out for 257 in their second innings. This downfall was triggered by Sophie Ecclestone, who led two separate collapses, resulting in the loss of 6 wickets for 49 runs and 3 wickets without adding any runs.

England began their pursuit of victory in an impressive manner, scoring 55 runs without losing a wicket in their first 10 overs, giving the impression that they could easily achieve the target. However, everything changed when Ash Gardner stepped onto the field.

Having already made an impact with figures of 4-99 in the first innings, Gardner wasted no time in making her mark in the second innings by dismissing England’s key player, Tammy Beaumont, with her very first ball. Beaumont, who had recently scored 201 and 208 in previous matches, squeezed the ball to first slip where Beth Mooney took a sharp catch.

Gardner continued her excellent performance by getting rid of Nat Sciver-Brunt in the next over, who was dismissed for a duck after top-edging a sweep shot. She followed it up by trapping Heather Knight lbw for just 1 run with a delivery that sharply turned.

England opener Emma Lamb also fell victim to Australia’s strong bowling display when she was adjudged lbw to Tahlia McGrath. The ball-tracking technology showed that the Duke’s ball would have marginally clipped leg stump.

Towards the end of the day’s play, Kim Garth claimed the wicket of Sophia Dunkley, who was caught behind for 16. Danni Wyatt (20 not out) and nightwatcher Kate Cross were left to battle it out for England as they required 152 more runs to win.

England now faces the daunting task of completing the highest successful chase in a women’s Test match to secure victory. Meanwhile, Australia will feel that they could have established an even stronger position. They were cruising in the morning session but suffered setbacks when England debutante Lauren Filer dismissed Ellyse Perry for the second time in the match and also bowled McGrath for one run.

Filer, chosen for her pace, consistently troubled Australia’s batters with deliveries that threatened to hit the helmet. Ecclestone then took control, achieving her second five-wicket haul of the Test and finishing with match figures of 10-192.

Ecclestone’s impressive performance saw her dismiss Jess Jonassen, who was caught while attempting a sweep shot on 14. She also had Mooney chop the ball onto her stumps on 73, thanks to sharp spin, and claimed the wicket of Annabel Sutherland, who was caught pulling on 15 in the first innings.

Alyssa Healy survived a dropped chance early in her innings but went on to score a counter-attacking half-century, providing Australia with a competitive total to defend. However, just as Healy and Alana King seemed to be guiding Australia towards a lead of 300 with a solid partnership of 59 runs for the eighth wicket, Australia suffered a collapse, losing the last 3 wickets without adding any runs. Ecclestone was instrumental once again, taking the final two wickets to finish with figures of 5-63 in the innings.