AUSTRALIA’S women have regained the Ashes after beating England by 20 runs to win the second Twenty-20 international at Hove.
The home side looked in full control after reducing the Southern Stars to just 7-107 from their twenty overs but Meg Lanning’s side hit back superbly with a fine bowling performance to dismiss England for 87 in front of a sell-out crowd of more than five thousand.
It’s the first time since the multi-format points system was introduced in 2013 that Australia have beaten England, who’ve won the past two series, and the first time they’ve triumphed on UK soil since 2001.
Ellyse Perry led the way for the tourists with the new ball taking 2-13 from her four overs, including two wickets in as many balls, with Rene Farrell chipping in with a golden first over that produced the scalps of the dangerous Sarah Taylor (8) and Heather Knight (4) with Megan Schutt also taking two wickets.
England were 5-28 at the end of their powerplay but recovered to 5-53 before Schutt bowled Katherine Brunt for 20 when she was looking in ominous form.
Farrell then ran out Danni Wyatt at the non-striker’s end after deflecting a Lydia Greenway drive on to the stumps with her fingers after the English batswoman advanced down the pitch.
Anya Shrubshole and Danni Hazell both departed for one before Greenway (26) became Farrell’s third victim in the final over when Jess Jonassen took a fine catch in the deep to seal the win. The victory gave Australia an unassailable 10-4 lead with the two sides to play a dead rubber at Cardiff on Monday.
Originally published as Aussies triumph in women’s Ashes
Source:: news.com.au