Women’s Ashes 2019, England Women v Australia Women Day 3: Preview, predictions

Australia Women needed a draw to retain The Ashes, and they have as good as achieved that after rain ruled out two sessions of cricket at County Ground, Taunton. England Women did pick up two wickets just before lunch; they also conceded just 76 off 32 overs, not allowing Australia to get away; but the rain reduced the rest of the match – a four-day Test, remember – to a formality.

Before the wickets, however, Ellyse Perry eased her way to her second Test hundred in as many Tests: she had slammed 213 not out in the Sydney Test of 2017-18. She got 116 today, off 281 balls, before hitting Laura Marsh to Heather Knight at mid-wicket. In the process she became only the fourth to score hundreds in consecutive Women’s Tests.

Rachel Haynes had meanwhile grinded her way to a 246-ball 87 before she missed one from Marsh and was trapped leg-before. Beth Mooney and Jess Jonassen took Australia Women to 341/5 by stumps.

Brief scores

Australia Women 341/5 (Ellyse Perry 116, Rachel Haynes 87; Laura Marsh 2/68) vs England Women.

Key players

Amy Jones (England Women): All eyes will be on the hard-hitting debutant batter Jones once England bat. Jones had failed in the recent ODIs against Australia Women, but with scores of 91, 18, 80, and 37 against West Indies Women just before that, she is expected to have a solid debut.

Jess Jonassen (Australia Women): Jonassen, who had scored 44 in the recent tour match, will be at the crease when play resumes today. But it is her left-arm spin that may turn out to be crucial when England bat on a used wicket. She had taken 5 wickets at 13.60 in the ODIs.

Prediction

Australia to seal The Ashes with a draw.