This is the first time that England has beaten Australia four consecutive times in a one day international series. England won the first two matches in Chelmsford by nine wickets and 55 runs respectively and in Stratford-Upon-Avon by two wickets on Friday.
With former Prime Minister Sir John Major watching on, the match launched a ‘pink’ initiative between Wormsley Cricket Ground, the England and Wales Cricket Board and Breast Cancer Campaign with the day titled ‘Pink Sunday’. The match was played with a pink ball - the first time this has happened in an international cricket fixture in England. The majority of players used a pink hand grip, the inner circle disks were pink and the spectators created a sea of pink at the ground in Buckinghamshire.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat achieving their highest score in the series with 225 for seven. Shelley Nitschke led the way for Australia with 71 off 106 balls including nine boundaries before being caught behind by Sarah Taylor. She was well supported by Karen Rolton, who finished with 52 before becoming Sarah Taylor’s second victim. Jodie Fields contributed a solid 29 to the tally including four boundaries. England bowler Katherine Brunt performed well to claim two for 38.
England started the chase strongly. Opening batter Caroline Atkins, who pulled on cap number fifty for England, made 21 before being bowled by Nitschke. Atkins has made a total of 1152 runs in her ODI career. Captain Charlotte Edwards hit 65 off 88 balls with six boundaries. It was the 29th time that Edwards has exceeded 50 runs in an ODI match. The partnership of Edwards and England’s only left hander Lydia Greenway (50) gave England a boost. Right arm medium pace bowler Sarah Andrews conceded 50 runs for four wickets.
In another nail biter England needed a single from the final ball to win. As 600 spectators collectively held their breath, Laura Marsh held her nerve to face Rene Farrell to hit behind point. World champions England claiming the match by two wickets.
Shelley Nitschke claimed player of the match honours for her 71 runs and two wickets.
Nitschke said after the match: “We need to stay positive. We have found ourselves in a position that we haven’t been in before. We need to keep believing.”
Captain Charlotte Edwards said: “I am really proud of the girls they showed strong character to win today.”
Coach Mark Lane said: “Another exciting win with another positive outcome. I am very pleased with the way we bowled and fielded on a good surface. I was pleased that many batters got good starts but disappointed some didn’t finish the job off. Laura (Marsh) did well to stay calm under another pressure finish.”
After sealing the last two matches with the final ball, Marsh said: “In Stratford-Upon-Avon I needed two off one ball and got a full toss which I wasn’t expecting. I saw the fielder deep at mid wicket and I thought it would be a catch but it was dropped, Jenny (Gunn) and I ran two and the match was won.
“I got a bit longer in today (at Wormsley). We needed 25 off 30. I managed to hit two fours early and we scampered a few singles. We needed one off two balls to win. I swung and missed the first ball but got bat to ball on the last ball and we managed a run to win another nail-biter,” she said.
England leads the best of five series 4-0, with the final clash on Tuesday at Lord’s.
The four-day npower Women’s Ashes Test match will be played at New Road, Worcester from July 10 concludes the international summer for England women.
