England Women have claimed the One Day International (ODI) series following a five-wicket win over the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars in the third Women's Ashes ODI at The County Ground, Hove today.
The start of the match was delayed by just over three hours due to heavy overnight rain and the match was reduced to 36 overs for each side.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl the Australian side got off to a shaky start, losing opener Alyssa Healy for a duck in the second over. Fellow opener Meg Lanning (64) and Jess Cameron (28) worked well together, finding the gaps frequently to build a 50-run partnership before Cameron was stumped by Sarah Taylor off the bowling of Danielle Hazell (2-36). Lanning's knock of 64 included nine fours and took her past 1000 career ODI runs. Captain Jodie Fields added a vital 27 runs to her side's total, including a 67-run partnership with Lanning, before she was caught behind by Sarah Taylor of Hazell's bowling. Ellyse Perry (45* from 38 balls) and Alex Blackwell (35* from 29 balls) combined for the final 10 overs of the innings to pile on 77 runs between them to take their side's total to 4-203 from 36 overs.
The Australians didn't have to wait long for their first scalp, with England captain Charlotte Edwards (8) dismissed by a brilliant catch by Alex Blackwell off the bowling of Erin Osborne's (3-49) bowling. Player of the match Sarah Taylor (64) took up the task with opener Heather Knight (69), putting on a 126-run partnership before Knight was caught out by Megan Schutt off the Osborne's bowling. Taylor was dismissed two overs later bowled by Sarah Coyte (1-37). Lydia Greenway (18) and Arran Brindle (11) also added some key runs to their side's total. Natalie Sciver (18*) and Jenny Gunn (3*) were the unbeaten batters in the middle when they reached their set target, finishing 5-204 with 16 balls remaining.
