Australia goes 1-0 up as Blackwell, Gardner shine

Australia earned two points as Alex Blackwell's nerveless half-century and Ashleigh Gardner's all-round performance helped it seal a two-wicket win in the last over of the first One-Day International of the Women’s Ashes on Sunday (October 22).

Australia's spinners vindicated Rachael Haynes's decision to field first at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane, keeping England to 228 for 9, but the chase didn't begin well for the home side.

Anya Shrubsole, the hero of England’s win over India in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 final earlier this year, sent back Nicole Bolton and Katherine Brunt followed that up with the wicket of Alyssa Healy to reduce the Australians to 20 for 2 inside the first five overs.

Ellyse Perry and Elyse Villani rebuilt the innings but just as the two were finding their feet, they fell in the space of three overs as Australia slumped to 87 for 4 in the 20th over. Alex Hartley, the left-arm spinner, removed Perry for 20, while Villani was run-out for 34.

The target of 229 looked a long way off at that stage, but a partnership flourished between Haynes and Blackwell. The two added 63 runs at a decent clip before Hartley struck again to send the Australia captain back.

The responsibility was on Blackwell, the senior batter, to see the side through, but the support provided at the other end was still vital. Tahila McGrath, in at No. 7, struggled to rotate the strike, eating up 26 balls to score seven before Brunt sent her on her way, and it could have gone either way at that stage had it not for Gardner changing the script.

Gardner came in with 48 needed from 44 balls, and she took the opposition on, hitting two fours off Shrubsole in the first two deliveries she faced. The momentum shifted as she pummelled two sixes as well.

When Jenny Gunn finally sent her packing for an 18-ball 28, Gardner had done her job alongside Blackwell, reducing the equation to nine runs needed off 15 balls. Even another wicket didn't deter Australia as Jess Jonassen hit the winning runs and the side picked up the two points for the win. Blackwell finished unbeaten on 67, her 86-ball innings studded with seven boundaries.

Earlier, England started brightly with Lauren Winfield and Tammy Beaumont putting on a 47-run opening stand. Beaumont fell to Perry for 24, but Winfield was joined at the crease by Sarah Taylor, the experienced Ashes campaigner.

The introduction of Amanda-Jade Wellington, the leg-spinner, into the attack nearly resulted in the dismissal of Winfield twice in the same over, but the batter survived and added 56 runs alongside her partner.

But third time proved to be lucky for Australia as Winfield ran herself out on 48, scored from 63 balls with two fours and two sixes, and the home side ramped up the pressure with a few quiet overs bowled by Gardner, the offspinner, and Wellington.

The tactic worked as Gardner trapped Taylor in front for a 44-ball 34 and then removed Heather Knight, the captain, to leave England wobbling at 140 for 4 in the 34th over.

Natalie Sciver fought hard with a 52-ball 36, but England could only muster 88 runs in the remaining overs as Gardner picked up a third wicket to finish with 3 for 47 and Megan Schutt returned to pick up two at the death, which ultimately proved crucial.

Brief Scores: England 228/9 in 50 overs (Lauren Winfield 48, Sarah Taylor 34, Natalie Sciver 36; Megan Schutt 2-44, Ashleigh Gardner 3-47) lost to Australia 231/8 in 49.1 overs (Elyse Villani 38, Rachael Haynes 30, Alex Blackwell 67 n.o.; Katherine Brunt 2-47, Alex Hartley 2-40) by two wickets.

**Points:**Australia 2, England 0