Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey
Congratulations Australia!
The Australian Women team have done the nation proud, after retaining the Ashes against England. After the drawn Test, all Australia needed was one win in the T20Is, and they achieved it in the first game, winning by 6 wickets with 25 balls to spare.
England’s very defensive display in the Test match suggested that they were planning to throw all their eggs into the T20I basket, which has backfired. Jess Jonassen, Megan Schutt and Elise Perry decimated England’s top order to leave them 16/4. In the end, England did extremely well to reach 132/9, thanks to Danielle Wyatt, who rescued England’s innings with a fine 50 off 36 balls. However, she was outdone by Beth Mooney, who struck an irresistible 86 of 56 balls to lead Australia home.
Mooney’s cover driving was as good as you’ll ever see, and held the innings together well for Australia.
Here are some awesome stats & facts from Australia’s Ashes-sealing win:
1st 50 in T20Is
It’s hard to believe Beth Mooney had never scored a T20I fifty for Australia before tonight. She middled almost everything – her cover driving was special to watch. A great time to bring up your first fifty!
It was also Danielle Wyatt’s first fifty, and that too in her 71st T20I. It came at a great time with her team in big trouble, but wasn’t enough in the end.
Highest score ever by an Australian in a T20I at home
Beth Mooney scored the highest ever score by an Australian at home in a T20I. The previous best was Meg Lanning’s 79.
Best ever bowling figures:
It wasn’t only Beth Mooney who had her best ever outing, but so did Megan Schutt. Schutt was superb with the ball, taking her best ever figures of 4/22.
Difference between top and second highest scorer: 69
Mooney’s 86 was easily Australia’s top score, with next best score being Elyse Villani’s 17. Such a dominant display by Mooney.
Australia’s second straight Ashes series win:
England came to Australia aiming to retain the Ashes after losing in 2015, but wasn’t to be. Australia have been the better team since the start of the ODI series, and deserve their win.
North Sydney put on a wonderful night, with another great crowd turning up. This is a wonderful time for women’s cricket, and hopefully the momentum continues in Canberra.
