Off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner delivered a remarkable performance with the ball, claiming an impressive 8/66 in the second innings, as England succumbed to a defeat by 89 runs on the fifth day of the one-off Women's Ashes Test. The match concluded with England being bowled out for 178 before lunch, handing Australia a convincing victory.
Ashleigh's exceptional bowling display meant she finished the one-off Test with an astonishing total of 12 wickets, having previously taken four wickets in the first innings. Her remarkable haul sets a new Australian record. England's debutant Danni Wyatt provided some resistance, top-scoring with 54 before being trapped lbw by Ashleigh as Australia swiftly wrapped up the match within 21 overs on the final day of play.
Ashleigh also etched her name in the record books by becoming the second bowler in women's Tests to claim eight wickets in a single innings, following India's Neetu David, who achieved the feat with figures of 8/53 against England in 1995. Her overall match figures of 12/165 are the second-best in women's Tests, trailing behind Pakistan's Shaiza Khan, who recorded figures of 13/226 against West Indies in 2004.
The result puts Australia in a favorable position to retain the Ashes in the multi-format series, as they now only need to win two of the six white-ball matches. The first of the three T20Is is scheduled to begin on July 1 in Birmingham.
England began day five at 116/5, chasing a daunting target of 268, after losing five wickets in quick succession on day four. Their hopes of an unlikely victory were further diminished as Danni and Kate Cross added just 25 runs for the sixth wicket before Cross was caught behind for 13 off Ashleigh's bowling. Ashleigh's spin proved too much for the England batters, as she effortlessly dismantled their lineup.
Despite Danni's valiant resistance, she struggled to find support from her teammates. Amy Jones was stumped by Alyssa Healy, Sophie Ecclestone fell victim to an lbw decision, and Lauren Filer was bowled for a duck, leaving Danni as the final wicket to fall and securing four points for Australia.
While England had their standout performers, including Tammy Beaumont's impressive 208 in the first innings and Sophie Ecclestone's 10-wicket haul in the match, Ashleigh's stunning efforts ultimately overshadowed their achievements. Australia's victory sets the tone for the upcoming white-ball matches as they aim to retain the coveted Ashes title.
Brief Scores: Australia 473 and 257 beat England 463 and 178 in 49 overs (Danni Wyatt 54; Ashleigh Gardner 8/66) by 89 runs.