Match Centre
Scorecard Summary
AUSTRALIA WOMEN 420/8d (154.4 OVERS)1ST INNINGS
- Rachael Haynes87 (246)
- Ellyse Perry116 (281)
- Katherine Sciver-Brunt2/48 (22)
- Sophie Ecclestone2/90 (34.2)
ENGLAND WOMEN 275/9d (107.1 OVERS)1ST INNINGS
- Amy Jones64 (140)
- Nat Sciver-Brunt88 (180)
- Jess Jonassen2/50 (21.1)
- Sophie Molineux4/95 (37)
AUSTRALIA WOMEN 230/7 (64 OVERS)2ND INNINGS
- Ellyse Perry*76 (144)
- Sophie Molineux41 (55)
- Laura Marsh2/42 (13)
- Heather Knight2/25 (8)
Commentator: Matt Roller
END OF OVER:64 | 3 Runs 1 Wkt | AUS-W: 230/7
- Ellyse Perry76 (144b)
- Heather Knight8-0-25-2
- Kirstie Gordon10-1-50-2
England captain Heather Knight: Obviously disappointed. They've outplayed us, so congratulations to them, but we're disappointed. We've got to treat this T20 series as a series in itself. We've not played up to the standards we know we can. We wanted to be positive, last night the ball was quite soft and it was hard to score. We wanted to give Nat a chance to score quickly, she was unlucky, that innings deserved a hundred. We've got a lot of character and resilience in that team. The game was probably gone today, but we've got to move onto the T20s now, and treat that as an opportunity for players.
Meg Lanning, Australia captain: It's certainly a good position to be in. We had a hard four-day battle and it was a real good challenge for our group. Unfortunately, couldn't get a result here, but it was a great Test. We came today hoping to be in a position to enforce the follow-on. once that wasn't able to happen and we lost those early wickets it didn't happen. We've got a really even group, a lot of different contributors - different people stepping up at different times. It's been a lot closer than what the scoreboard suggests, and we're really looking forward to the T20s. I don't think Perry gave a chance over the two innings, she loves playing Test cricket. To have those young girls come in and play an important role is something we're really proud of as a group. We've got a few days off, but have a bit to achieve still on this tour, and we know England are going to come back really hard.
Ellyse Perry is Player of the Match: We all jump at the opportunity to play the longer form, put on the whites and the baggy green. The records we've been able to achieve in the last 12 months have been really fun. The last four days, the way we acquitted ourselves was absolutely brilliant. We couldn't get the result, but we dominated for long periods. Really enjoy being out there, enjoy the challenge. It's awesome [seeing players coming through]. They've brought so much to our group. The baggy green presentation was a bit spine-tingling, really. It's super exciting, and a big challenge for the older girls.
Mark Robinson, England coachWe lost the toss, which was the start of things going wrong. Can't fault the girls, they've given absolutely everything. Brunty was outstanding on the first morning but everyone else took a while [to settle]. The ball did a bit, we beat the bat, but we missed a trick. As the game developed we bowled well but didn't get the breaks that we needed. It wasn't about this game, it was about losing those first two ODIs. We had a great chance to win that first game. Sometimes you come up short, and that's how it is. We had six crazy days which cost us as a team.
17.40 And that's it! Time for handshakes. Match drawn, which means Australia have retained the Ashes before the T20 leg of the series has even started. They were ruthless throughout the ODI series, particularly in that third ODI, and haven't offered England as much as a sniff in this Test. Perry was immense, with a ton in the first dig and an unbeaten 76 in the second, while Sophie Molineux on debut impressed with both bat and ball.
For England, there is a lot of hard work to be done: Amy Jones and Nat Sciver fought hard with the bat, but their attack looked undercooked throughout, and their lack of intent last night was like asking the final nail to be hammered into their coffin. Those two sessions lost to rain on day two really hurt the spectacle, but such is life with a four-day game on a painfully slow pitch. A T20 whitewash would mean a series draw, but Australia's win in 2017 means that they retain the trophy.
Thanks for joining us over the course of this Test. Stick around for the report, but until then, from Andrew, Alan, Valkerie and me, it's goodbye!
A Gardner c Beaumont b Knight 7 (6m 5b 0x4 1x6) SR: 140.00
Jack: "Player of match is Molineux in my books. Had a terrific game" Got to be Perry, no?
One more needed before the handshakes...
Match Coverage
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Losing two sessions to rain did not help the Taunton match gain momentum while neither side put the foot down with the bat
Ellyse Perry to the fore again as Australia retain Ashes in drawn Test with England
Perry adds unbeaten 76 to first-innings ton, Molineux makes fine debut with bat and ball as Australians secure 8-2 points lead
Nat Sciver shows fight for England but Australia close in on Ashes
Allrounder scores unbeaten fifty but three wickets for debutant spinner Sophie Molineux keep Australia in control
Rain wrecks England's hopes of Ashes fightback as Perry stars with hundred
It is already nigh on impossible to see how England can claim the 20 wickets required to win the match and stay in the series
Ellyse Perry's 84 not out leads the way as Australia put one hand on the Ashes
It is already nigh on impossible to see how England can claim the 20 wickets required to win the match and stay in the series