Righto, Australia collect two more important points and look ever so strong. England have a lot of catching up to do, and quickly. That's it from us today, though. Thanks for tuning in. Till the next time, this is Ashish, signing off on behalf of my co-commentator, Srinidhi and scorer Thilak. Ciao!
Alyssa Healy, the Australia captain: We pride ourselves on finding ways to win games, and we found a way at the end, there. England bowled pretty well in the backend. Some change of pace to get themselves in. Great game of cricket to be a part of. Glad we were on the right side of the result. I thought it was a par score. The winning total here is about 160. We allowed them to get back into the game. I thought we were confident and the wicket playing well. That's what makes her [Mooney] so good, she reads the situation very well and knows how to go through the gears and she did that tonight. [Going back to T20 cricket] We don't mind it. Test cricket is the rarity for us, T20 we play a lot of. It wasn't too bad for the group to go back into the T20 mode. We were a bit worried that things might get a bit reckless out there. But really proud of the girls' effort through the week to get prepared. [Things to improve] We could be a bit more clinical at the death. We let them back into the game with the fielding as well. [Bowling options] It's all good till you walk into the changeroom and some one will be grumpy. I am really blessed to have such a bowling attack.
Heather Knight, England captain: We are getting closer. Really proud. Amy Jones got us to a total which was pretty par. Another special game. The crowd was great. Trying to manage the bowlers is all captaincy is about. I could have used her [Ecclestone] the over before, but she was great. Unfortunately, we are on the wrong side of it. Spinners are our strength. We have got world-class spinners. Slower balls were effective on that wicket. [Jones' knock] It was special, got us back into the game. It was a tricky surface, and for Amy to strike the way she did, was special. We want to be aggressive but also smart. It is tough already. The fact we came out and brought out a good show, we are proud of it.
Beth Mooney is the Player of the Match: Full faith in the girls, we bat very deep. It is a nice luxury to have. We probably got the tenth over mark but we lost a few wickets. Mindset can change through out, and that happened with me. The wicket was good, a little slower. They [England] batted exceptionally well in the last five overs. That is something we will look at going into the next game. You kind of just react to whoever is bowling. She [Ecclestone] bowled slower towards the end. We know she is the key. [Change of formats] Feels a bit of helter skelter. It is a nice change, feels a bit of free swing. We sort of got a bit of license with the ball coming on. We know that quality in the English side. We have to be prepared for that.
Presentation time
9.39pm All smiles for Australia. That got so much closer than what Australia would have liked but Beth Mooney, the stalwart, she stood tall right till the end. She remained unbeaten on 61 off 47 balls and ensured her side got over the line. Lauren Bell started off well, getting rid of Alyssa Healy early. But Mooney and McGrath added 49 for the second wicket, before Mooney added 61 with Gardner. However, England stormed back with quick wickets. Mooney, though kept her cool to help Australia claim two crucial points.
Andrew Miller: "Sorry to have to say this but Heather Knight's Captaincy has to be questioned again. By leaving Eccelstone to the final over there was always a chance the game would be gone baring a miracle. If she'd bowled the 19th Australia may have been left with a tricky 20th and who knows what pressure does. "
Georgia Wareham comes in. 2 off 1.
A Sutherland c †Jones b Ecclestone 9 (5m 6b 2x4 0x6) SR: 150.00
1 off 3
Ecclestone. Can she defend five? The DJ belts out Bryan Adams' Summer of 69.
END OF OVER:19 | 11 Runs 1 Wkt | AUS-W: 149/5 (5 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 7.84, RRR: 5.00)
- Beth Mooney61 (47b)
- Annabel Sutherland5 (2b)
- Lauren Bell4-0-32-2
- Freya Davies3-0-28-0
Last ball of the over. Should Mooney take her chances?
No shortage of batters in this lineup. Annabel Sutherland is in.
EA Perry b Bell 7 (6m 6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 116.66
Right, who'll bowl the 19th? Ecclestone? Bell? Bell it is. Australia need 16.
END OF OVER:18 | 8 Runs | AUS-W: 138/4 (16 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 7.66, RRR: 8.00)
- Ellyse Perry6 (4b)
- Beth Mooney56 (45b)
- Freya Davies3-0-28-0
- Sarah Glenn4-0-33-2
Perry comes in and is on strike now
Davies back on
END OF OVER:17 | 8 Runs 2 Wkts | AUS-W: 130/4 (24 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 7.64, RRR: 8.00)
- Beth Mooney54 (43b)
- Sarah Glenn4-0-33-2
- Lauren Bell3-0-21-1
GM Harris b Glenn 0 (1m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
Grace Harris with a strike rate of 173.1 comes in
A Gardner c †Jones b Glenn 31 (28m 23b 0x4 2x6) SR: 134.78