Test Match Special - Ashes Daily: England secure historic T20s win to keep Women’s Ashes alive

Episode Date: July 8, 2023

England pulled off a thrilling 5 wicket win at Lord’s as Australia lost their first T20 series in 6 years. Henry Moeran is joined by Alex Hartley and Alex Blackwell and there is reaction from Heather Knight, Alice Capsey and Alyssa Healy.

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Still two needed from five balls. Here comes Jonathan. Gibson on strike. Reverseeps. She'll get at least one. She should get two and she will get two. England have won the game. They're still in the ashes.

England win. Australia have lost a bilateral series for the first time in six years. Wow, Danny Gibson. Brave, brave shot to play. Brave, brave shot. to play but she gets the reward it goes for four england win by five wickets they've beaten australia their ashes campaign is still alive we said it would take something remarkable from heather

night and her troops well it's been two brilliant brilliant games of t20 cricket and australia lose for the first time in six years and we said at the oval three nights ago alics Australia do not lose they certainly don't lose twice in a row this England team might just be doing something special they got close in the test match they got close in the first T20 and back to

back games under the lights in London England have humbled an Australia side who had to turn towards that grandstand and see their supporters trooping out before the end the times they are changing Alex Blackwell well I see this England

side scrapping And that's what Australia do so well. They push and push and push. The game is never over. But England have held their nerve. They've scrapped. They've got themselves to a T20 series victory. What a moment to do it.

Pact House at Lords. Special night from Heather Knight. What a night for her. It is a special moment for England. And pressure on Australia now, going into the one day series, they've got to win it. They've got to win every game. That remains the same.

But it has been the England's most successful Ashes series in a long while, even at this point, Alex. The 2017 Ashes, when England last won a series against Australia, T20 series, the last time Australia lost any format series, the last time they lost, the ashes were drawn. It was 8-8, but Australia had the ashes, so they retained them. England haven't had the ashes since 2014. It's going to take something special. It's going to take something remarkable.

But England, they are fighting. They are scrapping. So victory for England in the third and final T20 International to keep their Ashes dream alive. They knew coming into the T20 series, their margin for error was minimal. They lost narrowly at Edgeburston. But victories at the Oval and this evening at Lords

in front of a record crowd of 21,000 sees England heading into the ODIs knowing, yes, they still have to win every match. or two and a tie or no result but they are still fighting in this Ashes series the England run chase was rain reduced 14 overs they needed 119 runs they got there yes there was a wobble right at the end but they won by five wickets a boundary reverse swept by Danny Gibson to her first ball saw England win by five wickets amazing scenes on the boundary edge as England celebrate we will be

getting reaction shortly for you but Alex Blackwell former Australia captain over 250 appearances for Australia. We've seen something that hasn't happened for six years, and that's Australia losing a bilateral series. Yeah, it's a big one. Australia lose a T20 series. We don't often say that, but what I

see with England, they win big games at Lords. It's a packed stadium. They just won a 50 over World Cup in front of a packed house in 2017. Seems like this place really lifts them, and they want to make a statement whenever they play here.

crowd has been entertained and boy this ashes is still alive it's fantastic it is a remarkable scene we're right by the players here on the boundary edge where they are embracing friends and family and i think given the fact that england went into this white ball series knowing that they had to pretty much perform a miracle i don't think any of us thought we'd be at this point at lords seeing this asher series still alive yeah i mean i think australia will be stunned by their back-to-back losses. They haven't felt that for a very, very long time. You know, this was a tough game for them. They just didn't put enough runs on the board up front.

The wicket was a little bit slower. They didn't adjust as well as they could. The rain, yeah, maybe that played into the favour of England. They won the toss. They elected to bowl first in what was going to likely be a rain-affected game. So advantage England in that respect, but

wow, what performance is? The young capsie, she seems to like batting here, doesn't she? She just smashes it. into the crowd and what an entertaining knock that was. 46 and 23 from the player of the match, Alice Capsie, who was just 13 years old the last time that Australia lost a bilateral series. Theresa May was Prime Minister here in the UK, which tells its own story. And it really has been one of the more memorable occasions that we've seen in the women's game.

And we will get some reaction for you in just a moment. We'll hear from hopefully both captains with Heather Knight unquestionably. Very relieved. She was out LBW at the start of the final over. England were in a very healthy position needing just two runs from eight balls. Eventually it became two from five balls. And that reverse sweep from Danny Gibson got England over the line. So that's how they found themselves victorious. They saw Australia setting a target of 156.

That was rain reduced once we saw the 14 overs given, and England a target of 119. It was a rapid start from Capsi. from Danny Ward, I should say, and Sophia Dunkley. Then Capsy came in and played this brilliant knock. And that got England close and eventually over the line with just a wobble or two to get there. It feels to me, Alex, that there might just be a little bit of a shift

in the world order of the women's game. Yes, Australia are comfortably still the best side, but they're no longer the unbeatable side. Oh, yeah, I think England have definitely showed that. Even in the losses they've had, the test match and the first T20, they were bloody close games and I think well played for all the squad

and they've had to rely on a few additional players and I think the way that John Lewis and Heather Knight have asked their team to play they've stuck by it even under pressure yeah really impressive we will be speaking to Alice Capsie shortly

and she's just puffing out her cheeks I think she's looking around this ground and wondering quite what's happened as much as anything because we've spoken a lot about the existence of England women international games at Lords they were far too rare a thing for a long time you played a few at this famous old ground but England went a long while without doing so but seeing the crowd here

tonight Alex seeing 21,000 in after crowds of 20,000 apiece at edge ofston at the oval regardless of who won any of those games it's been some week I think well played to the England team because given an opportunity to take the field here at Lords they've put on fantastic They've won in front of a home crowd. I think as well the Australians, of course, their performances have pushed England to have to deliver their best, and they have. And the England fans, they'll be expecting this from now on.

And the depth of this England side should be able to deliver for years to come. Well, let's see if we can grab a word with someone from the England team. The presentation's about to start, but Heather Knight, the England captain, wanders over. And Heather, six years it's been since Australia have lost two games in a bilateral series.

that's some achievement. Yeah, it is. We talked yesterday about wanting a series win in the T20s, obviously trying to win it 2-1. I'm really proud of the girls. I think, obviously the way we went about it, I think was really good. The pitch is actually quite different to what we thought.

Usually at lords, it can be a little bit slow. Spin dominates a little bit more. And it actually felt like Seam was quite hard to get away, hence like juggling the bowlers a little bit. And I think the really pleasing thing is that when someone doesn't have a great day, someone else is stepping up and we're able to kind of have a real team performance

and yeah what an atmosphere again record again great night 119 or 14 overs how did you feel about that as a target at the halfway stage I thought it was a bit high actually I was hoping for a bit less yeah like obviously short in games is what it is we were just preparing for anything and it probably isn't that nice waiting around when you're in the middle of a game you stop starting a little bit and you're trying to relax but also switch yourself back on obviously when you do have to go back but yeah it felt like a really good wicket like it was easy to hit down the ground I thought the way sophia and Danny in particular

started really put the intent to the Australians and made the most of that four over power play and then Alice was awesome she probably hasn't played how she want to in the last two but first come out like that whack her six very early in her innings and really take the game on was exactly how we wanted her to play so really pleased for her what is it about playing at lords you seem to capitalise on these special occasions and lift a few pegs yeah well i haven't actually won many games at lords before the world cup fine i don't think i'd ever won here in an englandshire So, yeah, I think just today it was all about trying to soak it in a little bit as well, trying to enjoy the atmosphere. Like, the support's been so good.

Like, we've absolutely loved it. And I think it's credit to both teams, the cricket that we played, to get people out and get a real momentum behind the series. And still, obviously, a long way to go. And we switch the ODI formats now. But I think the way we fought back in the series is really pleasing. We felt like we're not far away. And once we got that one win, felt like we've got over that hurdle a little bit. And, yeah, hopefully we can keep them go.

Have Australia lost a bit of a fear factor? that every side inevitably senses when a team is that dominant. They're still a very good side. They keep coming at you. They've got so much depth. And the amount of all rounders they have means they can use different matchups when they need it. But yeah, I think there's just belief in our side,

belief that we're playing some really good cricket, belief that we're matching them cricket-wise. And I think previously it was probably about the mentality. And I think we've worked really hard on that as a group leading into the series. And I think those fruits of our labour, I guess, are starting to show now. How much did the toss play a part tonight? Do you think the conditions changed once we had a bit of rain? Yeah, I think it was a really important toss.

The stats have quite a big swing for chasing anyway here. It's definitely a good move to chase. So finally got to win a toss and do what I wanted. But yeah, I think under lights, obviously a bit of rain as well, probably skid on a little bit. I still think it was a pretty good wicket all the way through. Slightly different to what we thought, as I said earlier. But, yeah, potentially it gave us the slightly better of the conditions.

Two needed from eight balls, became two needed from five. balls. Was there ever any worries, nervousness? No, I don't think so. When you get it down to that small amount, you're pretty confident it's going to go your way. And it's just about finishing the job. I was a bit frustrated that I managed to get out there. I'm not quite sure I'm sitting the stumps. But one of those things, like, yeah, we just wanted to finish the game quickly and do it in our way. And Danny Gibson loved that she came out and reverse first ball. And that's the sort of confidence in a player that we want to play to their strengths. Where will you be looking for the most improvement going

into this must-win ODI series? Yeah, it's a new format. I still don't think we've played the perfect game yet. I think, obviously, that last day it cost us a few with a few drops and things like that. And probably having fielded so well all series, I think probably tonight was our worst performance in the field, but it doesn't matter, I'm not really thinking too much about that.

And I think now it's just flipping to ODI format, getting our skills where they need to be and just trying to keep this momentum going. Have up many congratulations. Thank you so much. And we're joined now by Player of the Match, Alice Capsie, big smile on your face. What a night.

Oh, what a night. to play at the home of cricket is a privilege in itself and the series is still alive which is amazing going out there it looked as though you were totally fearless that the occasion didn't seem to bother you the opponent didn't seem to bother you what was the mentality what was the message to you I think kind of I've just said it

the way I play and the way I'm backed within this team is to go out there and try and put the bowlers under as much pressure as possible and sometimes I'll come off and sometimes I won't and tonight was my night which is amazing can you give us some insight amazing partnership with that's ever brunt So what sort of conversations were you having out there? Was she telling you to just back yourself?

Yeah, I think me and Nat compliment each other quite well in just the way we play and how different we are. But yeah, we were having conversations and it was all we need is one boundary and over really. So we're trying to keep it as simple as possible. And yeah, I thought Nat played brilliantly. So, no, it was brilliant. She's a belt-time.

That's Sophie Eccleston there, joining us an impromptu contribution from Sophie Eccleston. Last time Australia lost two games in a series. He was 13 years old. I mean, it's quite an achievement beating this Australia side. Yeah, it's my first time playing Australia, and I just wanted to contribute in this T20 series because I wasn't too happy with the first two games.

So, yeah, to get a T20 series win against them, the success they had in the over the last goal. I think it's six years. They haven't lost a series, so, yeah, it's huge. And, I mean, now it's all to play for in the ODIs. Alice, I'm just checking. Are you old enough to drink that magnum of sparkling, and how are you going to celebrate tonight?

I absolutely am old enough so you don't need to worry about that and yeah I'm sure we'll have a few drinks and celebrate the T20 series win and kind of we take each game as it is so we don't look too far ahead so we'll enjoy the series win and then look to the ODIs probably in a day or so time many congratulations well played tonight Alice and we'll see you during those ODIs enjoy the fruits of your labour as well so England go to lift a trophy actually they've won the T20 series so they get the opportunity for a piece of silverware it's those little symbolisms that all add to the picture yeah well Australia got to lift quite an impressive trophy when they won the test match that is really hard to do win test matches but they had five days this time and they had a stunning victory well England should enjoy this victory it's a series within a series they've played beautifully they've played well under pressure and they've really taken it up to Australia forced Australia to now win two from the three odys to actually win the Ashes. Of course, if they win one, they retain, but Australia will desperately want to win this Ashes series. We will be hearing from Elisa Healy shortly. She's just speaking in the

postplay presentation. She's concluded that and is wandering over to join us in her keeping pads. And Elisa, reflections at the end of that. Ouch, we lost. Yeah, look, we just weren't able to put three complete performances together in this format. And like I said, it's a T20. cricket when you're not in your best nick teams can pounce upon you and England have done just that tonight in particular where do you feel that the areas where you weren't quite at it tonight oh look I think England just played really brave cricket they came out to bat and they took their opportunities with any width they

really capitalised on that and they they chanced their arm a little bit and it paid off for them I think we haven't been as brave with the bat for a little while and probably we felt a little bit short coming off so yeah there's little areas I think we can we can capitalise on but I think just adapting into conditions we probably could have done better Georgia wearing bold late in this game any reflection on perhaps being able to use her earlier she performed beautifully yeah she did I mean it's a hard balance right when they're going really well do you want to expose your leggy to some batters that are flying so it's a tough one but she did bowl beautifully at the end and it's almost kept us in the fixture a little

extra over so look it's great signs for us leading into the one-day format so I mean our leg spinners play a key role in that department so for her to to get a a little look in at the end there is good signs. All great runs come to an end, six years since the bilateral series loss. And it's going to be painful, of course it is, but it's going to inspire your team. I've got no doubt about that. I hope so. I mean, I said at the start of the game, I think the loss the other night was a little bit

of a kick-up the bum for us, and if that wasn't, then this one most certainly is. And yeah, it's disappointing to do it the way that we did. I think we just were playing some timid cricket, which is unusual for our group over the last sort of six or seven years. So, look, we've got a few days to reflect and obviously turn that around, and the one-day format's one that we absolutely love and hopefully we can play some good cricket. Elisa, you've played in front of massive crowds before, high pressure situations. What's the difference playing in front of a packed lords or a packed edgebaston with a pommie

crowd? It was good fun to be honest with you. I mean, I came to the Lord's Test match here and I've never seen a more diverse crowd at a Lord's fixture here before and I think that's the beauty of women's cricket. People want to come to watch it and lots of people from lots of different walks of life, which is awesome. So unfortunately we didn't come out with the result, but I mean, playing in front of, what, 60,000 people we already have is really special.

And along may it continue over here and the way that England are playing, I think they deserve to get the people out here to watch. Have you got a bit of a message to prove, a point to prove going into the ODIs? I don't think we have a point to prove. I mean, we are a really good side. We still are a really good side. We just haven't quite been there as much as we would like. So no point to prove.

I think we've just got to come out and go back to what's been working really well for us and that's playing really good hard cricket and competing, and I think we're going to need to do that in the one day is to win the series. Elisa, many thanks for your time. We'll see you during the ODIs, and thank you for joining us here on Test Match Special. The England team are celebrating. They're very happy. They've got their hands on a trophy, albeit it is only a part of the overall package of your like

of the Women's Ashes Series, but that is still up for grabs, Alex Blackwell. And as I mentioned earlier, I'm not sure we necessarily thought would be in this position. Really interesting there. she was clearly hurting that. I think she was hurting a lot. It's a massive occasion. I know Elisa's played all around the world and World Cup finals, etc.

But to play at Lords and to come away with a win, a series win, and to retain the ashes, she would have desperately hoped for that. But as all of the fans here and all the spectators, they'll be buoyed by the fact that we go into the ODIs of this multi-format ashes

with the ashes still on the line. I think it's going to be fascinating. It's a longer format. I think England are probably at their best in the T20s, so that played into their hands, the fact that it came immediately after the test match loss. They had to fight for it, and they should celebrate tonight's victory.

Timmid. That's how Elisa Healy described Australia's approach. That surprises me, because for a side with such success, you'd have thought it would be second nature to be a little more positive. Look, I think, you know, this is the first time all bar three of the players had played at Lord. So, you know, I think it's important to recognise the adjustment in the conditions. I think Australia didn't adjust as well or as quickly as they need to when it's a T20 game. You know, sent in to bat.

Look, I think it was a good toss to win with the conditions improving and the rain affecting and shortening this match. But, yeah, look, it's a close game. I think Australia are much better than what they showed tonight and makes this one-day series. So important to watch. Still plenty of fans in the ground, but that is where we will leave it here on five sports extra. Thank you so much for joining us. Of course, the coverage of the women's ashes will continue.

Wednesday, 1245. We'll be there in Bristol, ready to see what the next chapter of this fascinating series provides for us. England, as a reminder, they still have to win every single game or if there was a draw, thanks to the weather or even a tie, and two victories, that would be enough for them. series remains alive. And as the England players head up through the long room to celebrate a remarkable series

victory, they can reflect on quite spectacular few days, not just for them as a side, but also the women's game in this country with over 60,000 supporters coming along to watch the T20s. Sold out at every ODI as well. So Bristol, Southampton and Taunton will be packed full and can't wait to bring those games to you. As I say, 1245 on Wednesday is when we bring you the first of those one day international. The TMS podcast.

Keep up to date with live text and highlights during the match on the BBC Sport website and app. Every forehand, every backhand, every young star, every rock star. Wimbledon, 2023. Don't miss a thing from Wimbledon on BBC Radio 5 live. Listen on BBC Sounds. The TMS podcast. is with you this summer.

Hear Every Ball, live on BBC Sounds. So, I'm very pleased to be joined by Claire Connor, who's alongside me, who, Claire, what's your official title these days? Because it feels like there's a reason, here we go, Deputy CEO and MD of England Women, ECB. It's on your badge. There you go. Walking around St John's Wood today, down from the Tube Station, and, you know,

you've seen it all across the country in the last couple of weeks. It feels more and more that that Siverrunt and Heather Knight and Sophia Dunkley are faces that actually you can't avoid seeing and it feels like these role models are much more accessible than they ever were. Yeah, there was, you're spot on, Henry, and there was a story at Edgeburston last Saturday, so the game was in the

Saturday, on the Saturday evening, as you know, the first T20. And a few of the players were out in Birmingham having a coffee in the morning, not in their England kit, of course, you know, they were in a coffee shop. And Alice Capsie, who is, you know, one of the youngest players in this England women's

team, she was recognised by some women's out on a hen weekend. And, you know, they wanted selfies and they wanted to sit and have a coffee with her. So, you know, the players are becoming better known and becoming sort of more household names and faces, which is wonderful because girls and young women and older women want to be able to look to successful women

in all sorts of ways. And if cricket can provide some of those and provide that inspiration to either play the game or come and watch us then that's really great because that's you know the whole halo effect

I think of women's sport on the back of probably the lionesses in particular but we've seen it with the women six nations there you know it's we're really we've reached a bit of a tipping point I think and so

the challenges now you know how we really accelerate that what about this ceremony at the far end of the ground then Claire because there was Did the old wok come out again, that the original ashes were? No, the old wok did not make an appearance. That's a real, real blow.

So, come on, what was going on over? I would hope that the wok that was used 25 years ago isn't still being used in the MCC kitchen. You've not been around my house then. I'm sure the MCC have upgraded their wok since then. No, but I mean, that is an ingredient in a lovely, excuse the pun, in a lovely story, we were celebrating, I know you were talking to Alex Blackwell about it earlier, the 25th year anniversary of, and I was a player at the time, the creation, the physical creation of the women's ashes. We'd obviously been playing Ashes cricket for many years before that, but we didn't have physical ashes of our own.

So a fairly impromptu event was pulled together in the summer of 1998, involving a walk, as you say, involving the burning of two signed bats by the England and Australia, women's teams of the time. and also burning the old rulebook of the Women's Cricket Association because it was also the year when the ECB took over the running of women's cricket in England and Wales. And so sort of quite a significant moment, but a story that not many people really knew about until, you know, today it'll have got a bit more kind of, it'll be a little bit more understood perhaps. but it was lovely it was one of those special occasions where you take stock of where we've been and where we are and what the potential of the game is you know it was really really lovely to think about that summer 1998 I was a 21 year old young England player thinking about this evening and the games progress really really special and the headlines that we've seen this week and I know going into this T20

leg of the women's ashes, Claire. It was Edgebuston. We're expecting that big crowd, 18,000 to Edgbuston, and not actually that much had been spoken about the Oval and Lords. Got to Edgebuston, it was over 20,000. We thought, wow, this is the thing. Got to the Oval, and I didn't really know what to expect. And there was more.

There was more than 20,000. You come to Lords, and we know that there's around about 20,000. Again, now we know that the Aegeas Bowl, Taunton, and Bristol are all sold out for the ODIs. And you only have to go back four years ago, and it was a totally different world. And, you know, there were crowds of three or four thousand and suddenly whatever the causes may be hundred or otherwise it is a

different world yeah and i think there are a few reasons for that we've already sort of touched on the sort of the wider women's sport movement i think from a cricket specific point of view i think we've really built on the 2017 world cup win i can't believe that was six years ago now but i think with the hundred we've proved that there is a a big audience that wants to watch the women's game in the big stadia we obviously lost a little bit of momentum during COVID perhaps but not much

and you know the decision to put the women's test match these three T20s and then you know in the bigger the bigger venues you know that wasn't a

that wasn't a straightforward decision it seems really obvious now like you know as you say with the crowds that we've seen but you know the whole kind of scheduling of this women's ashes alongside the men's the going on sale at the same point the ashes two ashes campaign that won an award recently for best sports marketing campaign of the year the way we've worked with the venues over the last year you know it does those things don't it doesn't happen by accident you know there's been lots of steps and decisions along the way but you know and also we shouldn't get too far ahead of us ourselves. You know, I really hope that the effect from the ashes, these crowds and the hundred still to come will also lead into our series against Sri Lanka in September, where, you know, at the moment, we've got plenty of tickets left to sell. So if you're listening and you've loved watching, you know, what you've listening and watching, or having come and seen

England women play over the last couple of weeks, then do look into coming and supporting us during September against Sri Lanka. But yeah, it's, as you say, Henry, it is unrecognisable from a few years ago, and that's real cause for celebration. The TMS podcast. Hear every ball of every match in the men's and women's ashes live on Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds. The Albert Park Circuit, longitude and latitude, 144.9, 5.1. 035 degrees east 37.8501 degrees south 3.280 miles in length 14 turns 1 we'll get into the who's and the what nots later on in the checker flag podcast get analysis and reaction with the checkered flag podcast listen on BBC sounds