The 2013 Women’s Ashes Test has finished in a draw following four days of play at Wormsley Cricket Ground.
The Australian side resumed their second innings at 1-64 on the final day, with Meg Lanning (36) and Sarah Elliott (10) at the crease. The pair extended their partnership to 32 runs before Lanning was caught out by Arran Brindle off the bowling of Anya Shrubsole (1-48). The next wicket fell only one over later when Elliott (10) was run out by Lydia Greenway. Jess Cameron added a quick-fire 24 runs, including one six and three fours, to the Australian side’s total before she was caught out by Charlotte Edwards off the bowling of Jenny Gunn (2-11). Alex Blackwell contributed a handy 22 runs before she was out leg-before-wicket by Laura Marsh (1-57). Jodie Fields (78*) and Erin Osborne (28*) worked well together to build an 81-run partnership before declaring at 5-231, setting England Women a target of 249 from 45 overs to win.
Heather Knight (4) and Arran Brindle (20) got England Women off to a steady start before Knight was run out by a direct hit from Ellyse Perry in the sixth over. Sarah Taylor (38*) and Brindle worked together to add 45 runs to their total before Brindle was caught and bowled by Elliott (1-28). England captain Charlotte Edwards (8*) and Taylor pushed their side’s total to 2-93 from 34 overs before the game was finalised as a draw.
Speaking about the Australian side’s efforts in the Test Fields said: “I think today we came here with a goal of winning the match and we knew we had to make a positive declaration. Probably the early wickets set us back a little bit and we had to stabilise again. I think we gave it a good crack. We got the 250 and then put them in, we tried our best.”
England’s Heather Knight was awarded the player of the match following her knock of 157 in the first innings.
As part of the new multi-format Women’s Ashes Series, each team will receive two points for the drawn Test match.
The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will play a 50-over tour match against England Women’s A at Wellington College on 17 August before travelling to London for the first One Day International (ODI) at Lord’s on 20 August.
Fields spoke to the media following the day’s play. Audio from this media opportunity can be found on the CA Media Centre, details below.
For a full scorecard visit http://livescores.cricket.com.au/<http://livescores.cricket.com.au/summary_2885_1.html>
