Test Match Special - Ashes Daily: England win the ODI series to level the Women’s Ashes

Episode Date: July 18, 2023

England thrashed Australia in Taunton to draw the Women's Ashes series and inflict a first bilateral one-day international series defeat on the tourists since 2013.In this podcast Henry Moeran is joined by Hundred winner Emily Windsor, former Australia captain Alex Blackwell and England World Cup winner Alex Hartley to look back on a momentous day. We hear from England captain Heather Knight, Australia captain Alyssa Healy and player of the series Nat Sciver-Brunt.

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. To embrace the impossible requires a vehicle that pushes what's possible. Defender 110 boasts a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms, a weighting depth of 900 millimeters and a roof load up to 300 kilograms. Learn more at landrover.ca. The TMS podcast on BBC Sounds. Hello, this is Henry Moran. welcome to the Ashes Daily podcast. The women's ashes has been thrilling every game going right

down to the wire and still with England ahead of the final ODI, having the opportunity to draw the series despite Australia guaranteeing they would be taking the trophy home after a narrow victory in the second one-day international at the Ageas Bowl. England knew if they could keep Australia down to 269 or fewer from their 44 overs in a rain-reduced match. They would win the game and in doing so seal the ODI series. It was another thrilling match and in the end England got over the line. Here comes

Charlie Dean and bolts with Jonathan it's gone in the air should be a catch it is England of won England win the ODI series the women's ashes is drawn it is an extraordinary achievement yes Australia will be lifting that

trophy but make no mistake the celebrations will belong to England tonight because Australia they don't lose They barely lose games. And England, they won the T20s, they've won the ODIs, and they've won this game by 69 runs on an extraordinary day at Taunton. England, level up the series. They may wonder what might have been,

but Alex Hartley, a special series, a special game and a special performance from this England team. So England win the final one day international of a thrilling women's ashes series to see the series drawn eight points each and that is the banner that will go high above the plinth

where the teams will receive their medals in due course. Australia, yes, they have won the trophy and they will be taking that trophy back to Australia but England win this ODI series as they did the T20 series and we can get some immediate reaction from a smiling Australian skipper

speaking to the BBC and ABC. Lisa Healy, thanks for joining us. Your reactions to that game. It's a grimace. It's not a smile. Look, it is what it is. Unfortunately, we just, again, probably just didn't play our best at the back end there,

probably a little bit of inexperience and also some decision making at the back end. But in saying that, look, we've got the trophy and we're happy with that, but we're obviously disappointed about the ODI series. Has a series surprised you how close England have been to yourself? No, no, not at all.

I mean, everyone wants to keep talking about this gap and this supposed gap, but I've never ever seen a gap. I mean, if you watch all of the World Cups that everyone's been a part of, it's literally come down to key moments in key games, and I think we've been able to win those. And in this series, we haven't at times. So, no, I'm not surprised at how tight the games were. I think they were excellent games of cricket.

No, it doesn't surprise me England had got a great attitude to the game at the moment, and they're playing some good cricket. Nat's record against you in one day cricket is unbelievable. She finally gets a win and scores 100. in a match. How do you get her out? What were the discussions going into today's game, knowing how dangerous she was? Well, I mean, we dropped her and then we refused to run her out. So, I mean, we had some opportunities to do that. But, oh, look, we had some plans in place, but she's in some really good form and seems to really enjoy playing against us. So we knew

we were up against it and we were just kind of trying to keep her away from it and probably let ourselves down a little bit. But, yeah, a serious player and serious competitor in these moments. And how did you feel about that total chase on this ground? Was it par or just over? I thought it was under. We thought at the second drinks break, we identified if we can keep under 290, we'd be really happy and we'd be comfortable chasing that. Unfortunately, conditions played its part a little bit. The ground dry, I mean, got wet and slowed up a little bit and Duckworth Lewis didn't help us out. But that's the way it works in cricket, right? And it doesn't all go your way at that time. So, yeah, look, we were comfy at the break. We knew that

if we just got some partnerships together and we were looking really good through that middle period so we just probably let ourselves down at the end. Looking at the series as a whole, the way that it is clearly captured supporters in this country, I mean it's been a very special series to be a part of.

Yeah, I think it's captured a lot back home as well. There's been a lot of reaction from at home. The way that the, how close the fixtures have been that people are staying up to watch and want to be almost feel a part of it. So yeah, it's been fantastic. It's been great cricket, a great series all around and probably somewhat fitting.

that I guess we're going to stand there with a series drawn signage up there in a sense as much as we would have loved to say that we'd win it but at least we get to take the trophy home with us I suppose yeah and keep that trophy because you've had it for a long old while these are important things and you'll feel as a captain taking that trophy home that was number one goal yeah it was and we tick that off and probably we haven't really lost an odi series for a really long period of time so that was the goal number two today and fortunately we didn't quite get that done but yeah look we can't we came and did what we wanted to achieve first and foremost to keep that trophy in our in our cabinet and we've done just that but yeah it feels a little bit dirty at

the end of the day what are you hoping for when the ashes is hosted back home you've seen what has been possible in terms of crowds and the impact of that with the home crowd supporting england um yeah look i hope we get we get great venues and i hope we get great crowds i mean we've seen what great venues do people want to come and watch because they know there's going to be a great contest and that's all we can really ask for at home. I mean, we've got a cracking test match against South Africa at the Wacker early next year that we'll hopefully set the platform for that. But yeah, I just, I'm a firm believer that if you give us the opportunity to go out there and play good cricket on good surfaces that will give you a real

good show. And yeah, that's been proven in this series. Would you like just finally if there was a more definitive way of deciding a series? So perhaps there was no prospect of it being drawn, an odd points, say five points for the test match? I don't know. I did just say that just then. I'm like, there's like hardly any draws in cricket anymore apart from test matches, so how can you draw a series? It does feel a little bit weird, but, oh look, I guess you got to go with who's holding the trophy, right?

And that team obviously is going to get the benefit of taking it into the series. So, yeah, but I mean, I'm sure that'll get spoken a lot about after the game, and I'll wait to hear Heather's remarks on that one before I comment. Lisa, thank you for entertaining us so much. It's been enormous fun and thank you for being a part of it and chatting to us as well. Lisa Healy, the Australia skipper

and she said it was a bit of a grimace when she came over. Emily Windsor, Alex Blackwell, here on the boundary edge. Early interesting thoughts from her there and you can, you know, it feels a bit dirty, interesting. Yeah, absolutely.

And to be honest, that's to be expected but I think the key thing for me to take from that is what they now want to showcase in Australia and how this series is now going to grow and grow from this moment. I'm going to stop you there because the England captain, Heather Knight, is here, with a smile on your face. When I said that to Elisa Healy, she said it's more of a grimace.

How are you feeling? Yeah, it's super chuffed. We've won two White Ball Series against the double world champions and I think that's something special. Obviously, the ashes are a draw, but I think looking at the context of where we were going into the series,

I think we've been amazing. Obviously, being 6-0 down as well, the way we've fought back, the character we've shown and the real skill as well. How good was Nat Siver today? She's going to be absolutely knackered. I think she's glad she didn't have to evolve another couple of overs because she was running on empty towards the end.

But yeah, another special day and actually to have the resilience over one day to turn that around after obviously the ashes going the other day I think was truly special. And credit to all the players and all the coaching staff turn up today and trying to entertain and inspire this crowd again. And credit to you as well, because captaining aside with that short turnaround can't be easy. No, definitely.

We came straight to Taunton after the game the other day at the Aegeas and it was a pretty quiet coach. But yeah, we had a day to just refocus. and we talked about how we want to play and how we've played through the series and it would be a real shame if obviously we didn't finish it off how we wanted and there was an ODI series on the line

these guys haven't lost an ODI series for a hell of a long time. 10 years? 10 years, 10 years so yeah, a long time. So we really wanted to make sure that we had the opportunity to do that today and then really sort of hammer it home and yeah, at least close game I think which was actually quite nice. Although it didn't feel

that way out in the middle. Well, Heather, your own performances were crucial in this Ashes series and The way also you managed Nat Siverbrant with her knee, I guess that provided some opportunities for younger bowlers to come through, the way you've backed in Lauren Bell and even Alice Capsie with the ball. You must be happy with how they've played in this series. Yeah, really pleased, and I think it'll be a huge learning for them as well.

I think they've been outstanding, but also a lot of us, all of us have got areas we can improve and get better, and I think that's a really pleasing thing about this series. We haven't played our best cricket, I don't think. Today was pretty close, but I think we've got a hell of a lot of room for growth and improvement and that's really exciting. We've got a few players at the top of their game, Nat, for example, but we've got some young players that have got a huge ceiling

and we're going to try and get them in the place to keep improving and keep getting better, but I think the foundations are really, really exciting. A lot of talk in comparison with the achievement of winning the 2017 World Cup. Given this Australia side, given their record, where does this rank in terms of your time as England captain? Up there. I think obviously we haven't got the ashes. That was the first thing we wanted. We drew the series in the Ashes back in 2017 as well

and that was kind of a sort of bittersweet moment but I think yeah it's definitely up there I think in terms of I guess we've had in Ashes series previously to be able to do that and against a very good side double world champions yeah it's definitely up there not quite the World Cup that's for sure Henry but we've got two trophies two whiteball trophies which is really nice

and the way that Elisa Healy described it to us she said it feels like a slightly dirty victory taking that trophy home it doesn't feel quite complete I mean, there is an argument that the series needs to be more defined, maybe five points for the test match. Yeah, well, I guess it's not a victory. It's a draw, isn't it? I was taking it home, but it is a draw.

Yeah, I don't know. Like, it's tricky. It seems like that you start with one point if you already have the ashes. So maybe it can be looked at. Obviously, I don't know how you do it if it ended up in a drawer and things like that. But, yeah, I don't know.

We're just playing to the rules that we've been given. We've got to go a long way back to the test at Trent Bridge. But in terms of your highlight, Your personal highlights, perhaps, as a captain and moments when it really counted. It's hard to live past Bristol, to be honest. Obviously, being there in the middle with Kate and just the skill and the resilience of the side to get us into that position and get over the line. We've talked a lot going into the series about trying to win the big moments and worked a lot at that and got better at communicating and tried to grow a few leaders in the side.

And I think that's probably been one of the most pleasing things. But, yeah, Bristol was a great moment. I think Nat picking up a hundred. and even the first game at Edgebast and I think that was when we could have thought here we go again but I think the way we approached the next few games was outstanding like we were six nil down we knew we had a mountain to climb but just to be able to turn that around and stay very positive and believe that we're actually good enough to beat this side and I think the fact that we've done it just proves that and there's not a gap that everyone talks about anymore well Lisa Hiddy said the same

she said there is no gap yeah I agree totally. it's an interesting dynamic and I suppose you can only look at the results on the field and you've proven in the last few weeks and looking forward I suppose and the wider picture of things this series just finally it feels like it has captured the attention of the public and the cricketing

public in a way no series ever has before have you felt that as players 100% has certainly been the best series I think ever pretty much every game apart from a couple have been close and real nail batters and the public have really got behind us the crowd's been amazing like we've really felt

their support just in the moments where we need a little boost they've really given us it they're great again today and so many more people are just sort of talking about cricket all my friends are getting messages from from people that haven't really watched cricket before saying they're invested in it and I think now it's about capturing this momentum it's been a huge successful series because it's been marketed properly because it's been put toe to toe with the men's ashes and that's been hugely important and it's proved that it works people want to come and And hopefully we can take those people and those young girl and boys onto the next series. Heather, many congratulations on two series win and a series drawn.

Thanks so much for joining us. That's England captain. Heather Knight, who reflective, but a very proud captain, Emily. Yeah, absolutely. And I think that was a true smile on her face. And I think, as I said earlier, there's a lot for this England team to be proud of. It's such a talented and depth of the Australian team to come and prove that England are toe-to-to-to-with them. and they talk about there's not a gap previously

that's probably what's been said but today they proved it and I mean that's of a brunt you can hear that raw now she's key to this England dressing room and what a series she's had she is and she's some player Lisa Healy said that

how do you get her out it's been a quite remarkable performance we're joined as well by Alex Hartley here on the boundary edge really interesting hearing from the two captains quite mixed emotions and knowing that England have managed to draw this series

I mean it will feel in many ways like a win given the fact they've won more games than Australia Yeah it feels like a moral victory doesn't it Especially coming into this series as underdogs And no one expecting England to win No one everyone's sort of saying England might win a couple of games here and there I actually thought England would win the test match

But then not much after that You know Australia would come back and they'd come back fighting Where actually this series Any game could have gone anywhere bar today Today's been the one that's actually been a dominant performance from one team but England going toe to toe with the best team in the world they haven't lost a bilateral series for 10 years

that has to feel like a moral victory how will Australia end up reflecting on this Alex I think it's very hard to be the team that's chased they've set the bar high for such a long time and I think they can be very proud of that but they have to now start telling a different story and I think we've even heard that in the way that two captains have spoken today it is a different story this is a drawn series we've seen amazing cricket from both sides

I think Australia still tend to hold their nerve for a little longer in the pressure moments but in the white ball series it's been all England really and I think yeah it's about how do they actually tell a different story for themselves stop listening to to everybody else saying, well, you really should be winning this. No gap between the sides. That's what both captains said. No, I think, you know,

just to go back to that point of 10 years, Capsie was nine years old, which makes me feel incredibly old. I don't know about you, Alba, but I'm thinking, oh, wow, that was such a long time ago. It's the first thing she just told me as I walked past her.

I took a little picture. She went, last time they lost, I was nine. But yeah, you know, it has been such an incredible series. And I feel happy, and I feel, I've got a buzz about me and because it has just been such a great series and we don't have that feeling of walking away with disappointment which is what we have done for so many years over there behind you Alex is a sign

that says series drawn 2023 and that is quite significant it's quite often in these circumstances you do have the trophy lift of the side that is retained the trophy but clearly the message and actually in fairness from both captains has been look we've we've not won it they've not won it it has been drawn and I think it's fitting because it would feel awkward for Australia to get up on that stage alone. I expect both teams go up there and one captain holds the trophy and that's going to be Elisa Healy. But these two sides have played some of the best cricket we've seen in a long time.

They should both stand up there very proud. The crowd want to see both teams. And look, Healy and her team will be disappointed. But at the end of the day, they have done what the most important thing is and that's to bring those ashes home. Do you think, Emily, that this series is a turning point? We spoke about 2017 being a turning point. We spoke about 100 being a turning point.

Is this another significant moment in the journey of the women's game? Yeah, absolutely. As both captains said, that this has captured attention of people in Australia when it's not at sociable hours and here in England. And you hear fans, we've had emails from people saying, I've never watched women's cricket before before that series. And that is absolutely massive. And I think the main thing is now this momentum carries on.

like we're seeing people behind us queuing up and these poor England players are going to be here all evening signing the autographs of all different girls, boys of all ages and I think this is a springboard and as Heather said we really need to make sure from an English cricket point of view we jump

how far will England need to move in terms of time Alex before they stop thinking about three runs at the Aegeas Bowl I reckon they've gone past it you know it happens doesn't it I mean it is what if I'm thinking what if you know those three runs where could we have got them It's just one wide that goes for five.

It's just one ball that doesn't go for four in that final over. It's just Danny Wyatt not hitting out to the deep. But that's cricket. You know, you can't play the blame game and you can't play the what-if game because, you know, we knew Australia would fight back and fight back at some stage. And they did.

And they take the ashes home. They come with the ashes. The series is drawn. So they take the own back. Well, we'll be the reaction in Australia, Alex, because there's one thing about a sporting public. When a team does really well, they expect the team to continue to do well.

I think they will expect that Australia have won all of the series. The test match, the T20s and the one day is we've finally got one test match win. I think we should be very, very proud of that. Not easy to win tests as has been proven across the last 10 years or so. But look, I think that they will expect that we actually win the next one when we're at home. There is the advantage of playing at home. And what I've mentioned before is that we've seen. seen tremendous support for England in the stands and I think this is a very loved Australian

sports team and they'll want to get behind them next time there's an opportunity to play in ashes. It also doesn't make them any less of a team than they've been for the last 10 years. You know, teams go through phases and Australia are missing Meg Lanning and Matthew Mott. That's two huge people that this team are missing. They are still the best team in the world and the best sporting team that has been over the last few years. They've drawn to the the ashes to take them home, they look hurt out here, you know. They're thinking, oh God, if only we could have won, but it doesn't make them any less of a cricket team just because they've drawn this Ashes series. They're still incredible. Yeah, exactly that. And I think when you look at the depth

that they have of players, I keep saying it, but the issue is now, is England have that depth. And I think when England do go to Australia to come back, I'll tell you what, it's going to be one hell of a fight. And England, they're also going to have one hell of a backing from back here in England and I think this is now where this Ashes series is really alive more than ever for the women's game and I think we've still got the men's ashes now to play for and it's just it's like a really exciting time to be part of cricket but women's cricket. I don't know about you Winnie but I want it to start again. I want to do it all again. I've just got the cricket buzz. I was exhausted when I came in this morning and now I want to

I want to just do the ashes again because it's been so good to watch. Alex, you've had your baby out here as well. How exciting is it for you to know that she'll be growing up in a world where you are getting crowds like this and 100,000 people coming for a women's Ashes series and the future of this series is just so exciting. Yeah, and look, Australia

have pushed England to play their best cricket and it's been highly entertaining. So many people have enjoyed it. All of us, yeah, my little one. I'm not sure how much you'll remember of this but I'll tell her about it. This has been the best Ashes series for women that I can recall.

I need to do more reading, though, to read back all those series back from 1934 and onwards. But as Heather said, this is the best Ashes she's been a part of easily. And she's a proud captain today because they've done what many people have not been able to do.

Ten years it was since the last ODI series victory against Australia. Yeah, there's some rather long faces to our right. The Australian side aren't used to seeing other teams. lifting trophies and celebrating Alex Harle. This is a really funny situation Al because you were in it back in 2017

where Australia won the T20 series. We lifted the trophy and then you have to go and lift the ashes because it's drawn. How will the girls be feeling in this situation having just watched England lift the trophy? I think I'd like to see them lift a little bit.

They're flat right now but when they hit that dais over there and stand with England to recognise what they've been a part of and they've forced, as I said, England to be at their best. They have retained the ashes. They've done some very special things. They've won that test match.

It feels a long time ago now. But they've entertained, and they should be very, very proud of that. There's been some special performances. We saw Ash Gardner, 12 wickets in the test match, a maiden test century, Annabelle Sutherland. Perry has been outstanding across the series. But, yeah, I'd hope that they can stand there and actually take some positives out of the moment

that they've been a part of. Rather surreal scene for Nat Siverbrunt, who having been player of the match now as player of the series as well, has to be interviewed again by Lydia Greenway. So, you know, it shows her dominance, Emily, and how brilliant she's been across these few weeks. Yeah, absolutely.

And the interview earlier from Elisa Healy, they said, we asked, how do you get her out? And she just talks about how brilliant she is. And I think Nat Siverbrunt is crucial to this England side with both the bat and the ball. And you saw her again today in a dominant win, get 100. Bold a tough overs for England.

Heather Knight always wants to call upon her. And not only that, with the leadership, they're always having conversations, Heather Knight, Nat Siverbrunt. And she's an incredible cricketer. To be honest, there's no words to describe her, probably other than a goat. She didn't look like one, though. A lot of what has made this series so fun, Alex Hartley, is that there have been flaws in performances as well.

They've been dropped catches left, right and centre. Teams haven't been as good as they might have been. It's sort of that that's made it. enjoyable as well. It is because we've had twists and turns in every game. You know, the test match could have gone either way. That first T20 could have gone either way. And it's one of those, isn't it, where you go, we have gone toe to toe with the best team

in the world. We have won, England have won four out of the seven games. Australia have only won three. And you think, oh, they're just so close to winning the ashes. But I guess that is a, that's the way it works. If you have the ashes and the series drawn, you rightly take them home. Yeah, and that's the way it works. It's the way that it has done for all the time.

And it's absolutely the requirement of the side that is looking to take it back to win the series outright. Australia will be taking that trophy home. But it won't be necessarily with the green and gold ribbons fluttering quite as brightly as they might have been. Yeah, that's right. And I guess, yes, if you hold the ashes and it's a draw, you take it home. But it is within the capabilities of the high performance managers and the administrators from both home boards to consider, well, do we want to put it in a situation

whereby that draw is out of the equation unless some ridiculous washout system happens? I quite like your suggestion. One point per segment of the series. What have you spotted, Alex? The England Girls on FaceTime to Sarah Glenn, which is so, so lovely. She isn't here today

because she had to have appendix out overnight. She would have played today. but Charlie Dean come instead and the fact that as soon as they've got their phone they've given her a ring which is so lovely which is lovely and a sign of a team that's very happy and I think we might be hearing from Nat Siverbrunch shortly who has she's going to need an increasingly large trophy cabinet

because she currently and also wine cellar I think she's got an awful lot of both bottles of bubbly as well as trophies and Nat Siverbrunt wanders over to us smile on your face and what a what a series it's been for you Yeah, it's been a long tiring series and, yeah, I guess one that we've had to really put ourselves out there, try and, I guess, be aggressive still, but being able to put in performances and really go toe to toe to with the Australian, which is something that we really wanted to do, and yeah, I think we achieved that. How, when you were 6-0 down after that first T20, what was the message to try and convince yourselves and tell yourselves that you could get back in this series? Well, I guess there was no other way to play. We really had to go out there and, yeah, just be the best versions of what we can be

and individually realize how that looks for different people in terms of, you know, batting and bowling and the how. But, yeah, that belief was really instilled in us from Louis. And, yeah, I guess that was the plan from that point on. There was no other way that we were going to go about it. In the last five one-day innings against Australia, you've scored four hundreds. One of those was in a winning effort and it was batting first. Do you think you're a better chaser or setter? I know.

I'm really happy that I've been able to score 100 and we've won the game. It's a really nice change. Yeah, obviously batting first is a different challenge and, yeah, setting it up the way that me and Heather did, I think that really allowed other people to come in and be aggressive. Did you think you had enough runs on the board? Yeah, I think so. There was enough in that wicket for our bowlers to really bowl to, I think.

Obviously, the rain delay sort of changed things a little bit, and Australia came out and played a bit more aggressive after that, which really got us back in the game, so, yeah. Does it hurt that you've drawn the series, or does it feel like a moral victory against Australia? I feel like it's a moral victory. I guess from the position that we were in the odds were obviously against us

we obviously believed that we were going to do it that last game was as close as it it can get really so yeah having lost the game on what was it Sunday this was our plan for today so we were happy that we got the draw just finally a word on Sarah Glenn who missed today

I think Alex said she was over on FaceTime over there a minute ago. She was actually up in the change room earlier today. Yeah, what a whirlwinds, 24 hours that she's had. Yeah. I'm obviously happy that she's being able to get the treatment she needed for an appendix. And, yeah, who would have thought that that was going to happen on a group at all? But, yeah, she's a special part of our group.

And, yeah, we wanted to do it for her today. Well, you did. Many thanks for joining us. And congratulations on a fine series, Nats of Lebrunt, joining us here on the boundary edge. As we reflect on England's victory, not just in this ODI series, but also that T20 series as well,

England have won more matches than they've lost in this women's ashes, Emily. And I think that after those first two games, you would have got pretty decent odds on that being the case. Yeah, look, I think it's pretty incredible when you think about the turnaround. When they were 6-0 down, did I think we'd end up here with a drawn?

No, I thought Australia were in a commanding position and we're going to be seriously tough to beat with their ODI and T20 record that they have in these last 10 years. So I think a massive congratulations to everyone that's part of that England dressing room and for the belief and the show that they've put on here in England. Who's going to be celebrating harder tonight? England. You think Australia will feel a bit flower?

Yeah, I think they will. You know, they're so used to winning and this will hurt. It's not nice being the holders of the trophy and not having actually come over on foreign soil and actually won. So, yeah, I think for sure England celebrate harder tonight. 100%. You just have to look at the difference between the two camps, England, all cheering, chanting, having a good time on FaceTime to Sarah Glenn,

making sure she feels included. Australia, they've walked over to the series drawn sign going, all right, well, this interview with Ash is going to take a while, so should we just wait here? You know, I think England will definitely celebrate harder, especially after Nat Silverbrun said that's moral victory. Yeah, interesting that that is the viewpoint from the England camp, that there is that sense, yeah.

Do you know what? Give it everything. We feel like we're the ones on top after that. Yeah, I'm almost speechless. I think you can see the excitement in every single one of those players and that's a mixture of players that have played for a long period of time for England and some that are fresh and have a long future ahead. And, yeah, well done to England again from my perspective, I think.

And congratulations to Australia as well. It's been an incredible series. It has. And what a fitting way to congratulate you. include things. Thank you so much Alex Hartley, Alex Blackwell and Emily Windsor. Part of our team that have covered this Women's Ashes Series 1. I don't think any of us will ever forget. It has been the most thrilling. Oh, goodness me. Heart racing every single step of the way. It has been so dramatic. And honestly, we feel so privileged to have been able to bring it to you. So the series

drawn eight points all, England winning 2-1 in both of the White Ball series. Australia winning the test match. It'll be them that retain the trophy and take it back to Australia. But from the England camps point of view. They feel like they've got the moral victory, having won those two white ball series. Thank you for joining us. The coverage of cricket on the BBC continues tomorrow morning. It is the next test in the ashes for England's men against Australia. Australia lead by two matches to one. Heading to Old Trafford, our coverage gets underway 1025 tomorrow morning across BBC sounds, Radio 4 Longwave and across the ABC. Thanks for joining us. of every match in the men's and women's ashes live on Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds.