Test Match Special - Ashes Daily: Australia retain the Women's Ashes

Episode Date: July 16, 2023

Australia retained the Women's Ashes following a dramatic three-run victory over England, who so nearly pulled off a remarkable victory through Nat Sciver-Brunt's masterful unbeaten century.Henry Moeran is joined by World Cup winner Georgia Elwiss and former Australia captain Alex Blackwell to reflect on another thrilling match. Plus we hear from England captain Heather Knight, Australia captain Alyssa Healy and spin bowler Alana King. Photo: The Australia players celebrate their victory over England during the Women's Ashes 2nd We Got Game ODI match between England and Australia at Ageas Bowl on July 16, 2023 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

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The second one day international in the women's ashes saw England needing a win to keep the series alive. If they could get over the line for the fourth game running against Australia, they'd take the series to a decider at Taunton in the final ODI. Well, as so often in this series, it went right down to the wire. England needed five from the final ball with Matt Siverbrunt, unbeaten with a century to her name on strike, knowing that if she could hit six England would be over the line

four would take us to a super over anything else and Australia would retain the ashes as ever this series provided the ultimate drama six required to win it four take us to a super over Siverbrunco's in the air

into the leg side she's not got all of it it'll drop safely Australia win Australia retain the ashes for the fifth time running it'll be Australia let lift the trophy they won this game by three runs Siverbrunt leans on her back she gets a pat on the back

from another legend of the game in Elise Perry it was so close so close but ultimately England falls short this crowd have been so richly entertained that Siverbrant couldn't quite do it she gave it her all

she did absolutely everything she could to win England in this game but in the end it is Australia who once again will be lifting that trophy they've retained the ashes the series can still be drawn at taunton on Tuesday but england's dreams of winning it for the first time in almost a decade have gone there is relief for australia heartbreak for england but listen to the noise

around the aegeas bowl that is a crowd that have seen this england team go toe to toe push australia all the way they'll feel they could have possibly should have won this game england but they haven't it's australia who have won by three runs and have retained the ashes. Close to 13,000 inside the Aegeas bowl as England fell three runs short of chasing what would have been a record, 283. 111 not out from that siver brunt.

She required six from the final ball to win it or four to take us to a super over. In the end, she got a couple of runs, but it wasn't enough. Jubilation for an Australia side who have been given a mighty scare during this ashes, but they will be lifting the trophy for the fifth time. Here on the Boundary Age, Alex Blackwell, former Australia Skipper and England World Cup winner, Georgia Elwistle, are with me.

And goodness me, it's another day and another, frankly, ridiculous game of cricket, Alex. I haven't seen a tighter series between these two. It's been outstanding cricket. And England should be very, very proud of what they've achieved here. They've played attacking and entertaining cricket and nearly got to a point where they could have turned around this series. They were six points down. to nil after the first T20 and they found a way to level it and get themselves in this game and this series. I feel for Nat Siverbrunt. I mean, what a special day.

Her third hundred against Australia in the last five innings she's played against them, but it wasn't quite enough. She needed more off that last ball and she'll be gutted. Georgia, it's a sort of day where margins are so, so tight. And in the end, Nats of a Brunt looking for that deep midwicket boundary and trying to clear it just couldn't quite do it. Yeah, and I think she's got fond memories, hadn't she, of the game here in the 100 where she did manage to and such a powerful striker of the ball, she backed herself. And, you know, that option was on and we spoke a little bit about whether she could have

gone for the four, could have gone for the six, but she was in the zone, the adrenaline pumping. You've got to go for the boundary, in my opinion, and just fell short. But what a monumental effort from her. We've seen her do it time and time again in an England. and she loves playing against Australia. She can be incredibly proud of the effort that she's given today. And it's fine margins, isn't it? I think England were just a little bit outplayed by Australia today.

And it's just been a fantastic series, a fantastic game as well. And I think England need to just take confidence from this. I mean, within this Ashes series as a whole, yes, they haven't managed to win the Ashes back, but they've still got the opportunity to win an ODI series down at Taunton. So there's still positives for them to play for, even though, you know, Australia have retained the ashes now and I think they can take a lot of heart from their performances.

It came down ultimately, if we're honest, to one over. And that was the final over of the Australia innings where it looked as though Australia were about on course for part and then Georgia Ware hit three sixes and a four and suddenly 26 from the over and it just fell away from England and Lauren Bell was the unfortunate victim of some brilliant hitting from Georgia Ware. Yeah, I think it,

It will be unfair to just focus on that one over because it sort of overshadows what was actually a really good effort from England to get Australia to a modest total. I thought Heather's captaincy and the field placements, it showed that they had really, really clear plans and they were a little subtly different to what we've seen before and the bowlers executed. They were really patient throughout their entire bowling effort.

And I would have gone to Lauren Bell as well. And I think, you know, sometimes it just doesn't work out. And it was a very big moment in the game. However, she also picked up three wickets and had a good start to the game. So, you know, more than just that won over. But, yeah, it was a momentum shift, that's for sure. Yeah, and it was brilliance from Wareham, wasn't it? You know, you've got her back, Lauren Bell.

She's so clinical at the death, and she'll be feeling as bad about it as anybody. but it was brilliant from Wareham. It was outstanding hitting. We saw that a little bit from her in the T20 series and gave us real momentum to get herself up to an above par total. Right, let's get some reaction from the Australia camp. Alana King is with us. All smiles for Australia into the side today

and you've got over the line and retained the ashes. Many congratulations. Thanks very much, yep. Another close game, but yeah, it's stoked that we got the win. Talk us through the emotions and that final over because it felt like it could go either way and eventually just falls your side. Yeah, I think Jono's played a crucial role for us

and she's played a close-out role in T-20 cricket. So we just kind of went to our T-20 plans as soon as Nat started hitting all parts of the ground. So we backed John O'N, and she got the job done for us as she's done on many occasions. Did you feel you had enough at the halfway stage? Maybe a few, two, a couple runs short. I think with Wolfie come in at the back end

and make 37, I think, off not many pills, really got us into a good position. We were looking at the 300 mark, but we would take 280 and we know we could defend that. Were you happy to have a bat first, given that Australia went in with four spinners? Well, we didn't have a choice. We lost the toss and had a bat first. But look, Al, it was a great day to be out there. We had some good turnout there for the spinners, and I think we really wanted to just change things up a bit and, you know, present something new to England.

They've played some really good cricket over the last little bit. So we're to throw something at them because, yeah, I think they've been playing really well. What about your bowling performance? Delighted to come back in the side, also really positive contribution. Yeah, absolutely. I think everyone who comes back into the side, you want to play your role and try to help the team win. And yeah, I was just staying ready no matter when my opportunity was going to come. But yeah, as I said, very stoked to be here and putting on the shirt again.

There's been a lot of talk about England inflicting these three defeats on Australia. It doesn't happen. That's not how the Australian team have found things in the last few years. How was it inside the camp coming into this game? We've got a lot of experience in the camp. camp and I think we we kind of moved on moved on to that we've got some amazing players amazing coaches and I think yeah it was a bit foreign for us who haven't been in that situation for a while but we just go back on to what we're really good at and that's you

know play a really good brand of cricket we know England we're going to play really attacking brand of cricket and I think yeah I experience comes into play and we really hold ourselves accountable to to those pressure moments how do you stay ready you're on the sidelines a little bit throughout this this series, played the test match and then selling the sidelines for the T20s. So how do you stay ready to take your opportunity? I try to get into as many bat v ball sessions as possible. We've got some of the best batters in the world.

So if I'm bowling really well to them and challenging them, I know I'm going to be ready no matter when my opportunity comes. But look, I'm just trying to be everyone's hype girl, and I can be my own hype girl at times. But look, yeah, I guess you always want to select yourself, but you can't control that, and you can control how the way you train, That's what I do and try to get the most out of training

and making sure that I'm challenging myself as well as the batters that I'm bowling to. Just finally, another sellout crowd. I mean, what a series has been. It's been incredible. I think the crowds come in numbers here over in England no matter where we've played. And yeah, it's been unbelievable.

We've played at some really cool grounds, some that we haven't played it before. But the crowd hasn't been on our side all of the time, which is fine. Yeah, it's home crowd advantage. But they've been great. I think they're a really knowledgeable crowd. And yeah, I think it's been great.

And hopefully there's a little bit of hush now that we've won on. Yeah, well, many congratulations, celebrate well. Alana, we'll see you down in Taunton, Alana King chatting. Here on the boundary edge and here comes the England skipper, Heather Knight. Heather, I mean, it's another ridiculous game of cricket, frankly. How are your emotions after that? It's been a ridiculous series, Henry's got to go down as the best series ever in women's cricket in the history of the game.

Yeah, nerves were a bit all over the shot watching in the dressing room. But I think the way Nat played, the fight to get us that close, like when we were sort of six, seven down. It was looking tough. Probably left ourselves a little bit too much to do in the end. But that was brilliant. She had a brilliant all day. I think she bowled outstandingly actually and probably let them get a few too many. Obviously in the first innings and yeah, just another remarkable game. Unfortunately we couldn't get the right side of it this time but really pleased with the fight we showed. Heather it seemed to me that you're really clear on your plans and the execution was pretty good today. Do you feel like that was one of your better efforts

with the ball. Yeah, generally I think we bowed pretty well. I thought Kate Cross bowed outstandingly actually to come back. She had a bad day the other day, but to come back and do what she did. It suited her and that, that sort of pitch. Those sort of bowlers that running, hit a hard length, top of the stumps. It was quite hard to manoeuvre. But yeah, I thought we bowed really well. Obviously, wearing batted really well at the back end to give them the momentum. But yeah, I think it was a really good effort. We felt like it was a good wicket and definitely chase a ball. And I think with the bat, probably our execution could be a little bit better. I think the intent we had was brilliant. I think definitely

encourage that. We just need to do things a little bit better in terms of execution. But yeah, to nearly chase down that total. Obviously disappointed, but I think the fight we showed again was outstanding. A couple of marginal decisions as we've seen all through the series and a decision for you that didn't go your way with that LBW shout. Intake of breath. What happened? Because you were quite confident by the looks of it reviewing immediately. Yeah, I was surprised there was no spike-on thing, but there wasn't the technology. disagreed so that's the end of that one okay but your company you hit it i think so yeah okay and what

about that that final over of the australia innings because you know sometimes it happens a player gets hold of a bowler but lauren bell who's had a brilliant summer and i suppose your job as a captain now has pick her up yeah she's had an awesome summer she's been outstanding at the death the way she's bold and soaked up pressure and back to her skills like she's a young bowler and it's a really tough job so she's going to sometimes have days where it doesn't work out and obviously today was one of those she'll be pretty down about that but she's a resilient character she'll she'll come back we're really back to this series the the way she's bolder I think she's been outstanding looking to take wickets she's probably been expensive at times but her jobs to run in and

take wickets with the new balls and I thought she did that well today but yeah it's all about learning isn't it a lot of young players in this squad will learn a lot I think from today which is only going to be positive for England in the future Australia will get the trophy but this series is far from done you can still draw it ate all and you can still win two out of three of the series, if you like, within the wider series. A lot to play for. And you must just be so thrilled as a captain to see where your side have been in this series over the last few weeks. Yeah, definitely. To have an ODI series win, we talked about that today.

And that was our focus today. Obviously, go to Taunton with that's still alive. So winning two one against these guys would be a really good effort and winning both White Ball series. So that's our focus now. But yeah, really pleased with how it's gone. Obviously, frustrated that we haven't been able to keep this momentum and achieve the great escape. But yeah, I think the way we fought and the character we've shown, I think a lot of our work on is going into the series. We're about trying to win those big moments and try and sort of be really calm and clear in those moments. And I think we've achieved

that brilliantly. And I think the crowds have been awesome. The way we've sort of entertained them and they've got on board with us. They've really given us that sort of added impetus, I guess, when we've needed them. So we've really enjoyed that. Just finally. A word on that's of a brunt? Oh, unbelievable. She bowled outstandingly today to bowl 10 avers and then to play innings like that. I thought she timed it really well, but probably left a little bit to do with the other end. I thought the partnership between her and Amy was crucial, getting us back on track.

But yeah, unbelievable. Like, yeah, she's just a player at the top of her game and I'm pretty glad she's in our side. Heather, many thanks for joining us today and congratulations on another brilliant game. It's been so much fun. We'll see you down in Taunton and here is a smiling captain. in Elisa Healy, who joins us with the job done. How relieved are you? I'm smiling through the heart pounding, so I'm hiding a few things.

But yeah, look, yeah, obviously proud to have the trophy back in our grass, but still one game to go, so hopefully we can get that to 10 points. You say the heart's pounding. How were you feeling with five needed from the final ball and that's of a brunt there on 100 and 110? Honestly, pretty calm. It's like a real strength of our group that we back. back ourselves in when our backs are against the wall to get the job done and I think even

that back four or five overs it felt really calm out there everyone just knew what they needed to do and that probably hasn't felt like that throughout the series ironically so yeah yeah I just knew that when we were put under the pump and we were put under pressure that the team would come good and we did today it's scary to think what this sort of I guess pressure on the Australian team could do you lost three games on the trot you can play better cricket so how will you use this as as a sort of launching pad, I guess, for that next stretch of matches? It's a good question.

I mean, you're right, we still haven't played our best cricket. I still think we left runs out there today. We're a little bit shy at times with the bat, and I thought the bowlers did an outstanding job. So, yeah, look, we've just got to take what we can, take all the positives out of this game, take the positive that we can fight when we're up against the ropes, and take that into the next game,

and just look to play good cricket again and hopefully keep this English side out. that final over of your winning is Georgia Wareham v. Lauren Bell extraordinary. Well, it was the game in the end, wasn't it? I mean, they wouldn't have needed that many in the last over or probably in the last few overs, right? So, yeah, huge. We know we back right till 11, so we've got that strength. It's just giving them the opportunity to go out there and show everyone what they can do. And Wolfie's been clearing the fence for years in domestic cricket, so it's nice that she's showing everyone that she can do it.

Heather just told us that this is the best bilateral series that's ever been in the women's game. Would you agree with that? I mean, probably Ashes series, yeah. I mean, probably it's been one of the closest that I've been a part of. I think every time we've lost England of sort of run away with it and every time we've won, we've sort of run away with it. So it's definitely been one of the closest. We've had some good tussles with India over the years,

so I don't want to be rude to the Indian supporters because they've been some good tight contests. But, yeah, full credit, I think it's been great to play an Asher series over here with so much support for the women's game. And, yeah, for it to be so close. it's great here and I think at home as well people are really interested in it. Nice having two leggies and four spinners at your disposal. Hard to keep both Alana and Georgia in the same side or will you go with that going forward

do you think? See what conditions throw at us but yeah look I mean they're both leggies but they're both very different of what they do and they both pose a different threat so I'd love to have them both in our side. Having four spinners is a real advantage at the moment and a lot of the wickets here is good as the wicket is for fall to spin. So it was handy having four of them today. And they're able to just tie down one end, which created opportunities. So yeah, we'll have to wait and see what taunton throws at us. And just finally, we had messages from ABC listeners from Geelong to

Broome to Berlin, all wanting Australia to win. I mean, this series has captured supporters from here as we've seen with sold out crowns. And of course, back in Australia as well. What's your message to those Aussie fans that have had the long nights watching on? Thanks. Thanks so much for your support. We really feel it over here. I mean, the crowds are being huge. and very in favour of England, but we still feel the support from home. As sad as we like, you know, the series has been so close. We'd obviously rather to be playing better cricket,

but at least the interest levels are high and the cricket's been really good. So yeah, keep supporting us back at home, Aussie and obviously we've got a big series against West Indies in October, so hopefully they show up for that too. No doubt they will. It's been thrilling and many congratulations.

Elisa, we'll see you down in Taunton. Celebrate well, but obviously only two days to celebrate, so it won't be quite the full, the full, all guns blazing, celebration quite yet. George, you're really interesting hearing from Alana King, Heather Knight and then Elisa Healy there. I mean, Heather Knight, it really stood out to me there that behind the disappointment, there's a very proud captain. There is a very, very proud captain. And I think, you know, what her team has done, they've come close in the last 18 months, but actually to be able to

beat Australia three times in a row, something that no side has done for a very long time. We're talking about probably the best women's cricket side that has ever been, this Australian side. So for Heather Knight to galvanise her troops and for them to go out and play with such confidence with such bravery I think it's fantastic to see and they should be really proud I think you know there's been some fantastic individual performances

throughout this series but overall I feel like it's been a real team collective effort to get them over the line when they have done. You know Elisa Healy very well Alex what do you read from what she says look I just sense she's very relieved to have wrapped up the ashes she will want to win them though

It's possible that England could walk away with two series wins within Ashes series and draw the points. And that's not what Australia will want. They know they've sort of got out of jail, so to speak, put right on the back foot by this England side. And, you know, Healy has had to take on the reins, and it's been a big job. Meg Lanning has done such a fantastic job with this Australian team for a long time. And yeah, you know, to come away and bring back those ashes, bring them back to Australia, it will be such a proud moment for her. In the wider context of what we've seen over the last few, because of course we still got one bump a day, sold out crowd at Taunton, Georgia, but close to 13,000 sold out ground here at a big international venue. I can't remember a series anything like this.

And when Heather Knight says it's the best bilateral series she can remember, I think almost when I put that question to Lisa Healy, she's thinking about it on the field, but I'm sort of thinking, I think Heather's probably thinking about the wider thing. Yeah, for sure. And you know, with everything combined, you've got to think about the crowds that they're playing in front of, the grounds that they're selling out, like Australia coming over and being told, where you're going to play at Lord, you're going to play at the Oval, you're going to play at Edgebaster and Trent Bridge. Like these are, you know, well-renowned grounds all over the world. And for them, it's a fantastic experience for them, but to have them sold out as well.

That just adds another dimension. And I think, you know, it's credit to the ECB, the way they've marketed this whole Ashes series alongside the men's one as well. and with both series being so fantastic in terms of the cricket that's being played and the towing and throwing and the twists and turns and everything that's coming with it. It's been fantastic to be a part of, you know, to be commentating on and to be a fan watching. I think for these players now, the one time it makes me a bit sad that I'm not still out there playing in front of crowds like this because the crowd today were absolutely fantastic. They lifted those England players, no doubt, at times and they got really behind it.

And you can tell that they're watching every ball. And as a player, that is just something that you can't describe, really. It's a feeling that stays with you and the adrenaline will be pumping, that's for sure. Do you think Alex England will feel they should have won this game? I think they've, apart from that last over, you know, they'll look back on that and think, okay, yeah, if that went differently, we probably would have won the game. But they've stood up when it mattered. there was something very special there from Nat Siverbrunt.

It took some special moments to potentially win this game. So they got themselves within reach, but it still needed a big effort in that last over. So many nerves. I think we all were nervous in the comms box, you know, Jess Johnston having to bowl that last over against, you know, someone who's sitting on 100 and has done it before in the 100 hitting back-to-back sixes to win a game. So, yeah, I think it was really on an eye-fedge. I'm not sure about that they should have won it.

I think they'll be very proud that they got themselves in a position that, yeah, it was very, very close. Of course, it's won all in the ODI series. Australia will have the elation because they've guaranteed retaining the ashes. But there is still the carrot of drawing the series for the first time since 2017. Yeah, and it's interesting that that's how the East England team are viewing it. They're taking every game as it comes. It's similar with the men. They're saying that the actual performance is relevant in terms of whether they win or lose.

It's about how they go about. Is their approach right? Are they being brave out there? And they know that they've still got things to play for and things to win. They can draw this series and that is something that they will be really keen to do. And I think equally Australia will be really keen to avoid. So the series win on the line and they'll take a huge amount of positives away from this series already. But if they can get two series wins, then even more so.

Yeah, absolutely. It might be that Australia have that. freedom now where things do start clicking but we'll wait and see that's all for Tuesday just a word on the two sets of players as well because they are signing autographs they're having selfies all of that stuff and after the emotion and the stress of the last couple of hours all credit to them for that as well well they realize what they've been a part of sellout crowds special venues it's only on the way up really isn't it's only going to get better from here more games at lords

they've been really excited about the cricket they've been a part of but also they know their role in meeting the fans and being a part of that side of things as well. Yeah, special day once again. Thank you, Georgia. Thank you, Alex. Thank you as well to Alex Hartley, who is hosting our highlights that are on BBC 2 this evening

from 11 o'clock. And if that's a little bit late on a Sunday, then you can watch them at your leisure on the BBC iPlayer. There, you'll also find how to win the ashes and highlights of the cricket that we've seen throughout this Ashes summer so far. BBC Sport website and app has your match reports and all of the highlights

and you'll also find on BBC Sounds a range of podcasts from BBC cricket to enjoy as well. We'll be back on 1045, forgive me 1245, day-night game at Taunton in a couple of days for the final ODI of the Women's Ashes and then on Wednesday it is the next game in the Men's Ashes series 1025 will be live from Old Trafford for that.

one. So much cricket still to enjoy, but goodness me, have we been treated once again to a brilliant game of cricket. Australia victorious. They've won by three runs and in doing so have retained the ashes. Congratulations to Australia and thank you so much for joining us for another thriller in the women's ashes. This is the TMS podcast on England's tour of New Zealand. Hear every ball of every match live with the test match special team.