Australian juggernaut aims to roll on in Adelaide
OverviewAustralia vs England, 2nd T20I, Women's Ashes
Adelaide Oval
January 22, 2:10pm local
Coming off the back of a nine-wicket victory two nights ago, Meg Lanning's team show no sign of slowing down in match two, and look favourites to win back-to-back matches at the same venue.
Australia recovered from a slow start on Thursday night, pulling the tourists back to a score of 169, that was then chased down in 17 overs at exactly 10 runs per over.
England captain Heather Knight admitted in the series' lead-up that the T20I format is her team's best, and the tourists face an uphill struggle should they go four points down.
Knight was pleased with some facets of England's game two nights ago, though acknowledges the challenges of Australia's batting depth.
"I thought the batting was outstanding (in match one), and we took the game to the Aussies," Knight said.
"The pitch got slightly better under lights, and Tahlia (McGrath) made it very hard to set fields."
Australia turned a few heads after omitting Perry in match one, though the decision was vindicated as all-rounder McGrath starred in the No.3 role, making 91* (49) in the chase on top of her three wickets with the ball.
McGrath unsurprisingly claimed Player of the Match honours, and in the performance moved to 177 runs without being dismissed in her first three T20I innings, at a strike rate of 156.63.
There's little respite for the English side, with regular Australian opener Beth Mooney back training after breaking her jaw in the Ashes lead-up.
The No.1 T20I batter in the world was struck by a ball in the nets on Tuesday, though has returned for light batting work and may yet still feature at the backend of the series.
Remember last time
It would be remiss to say the hosts had it all their way in the first match of the series, with England at one stage 70/0 from just eight overs at the same venue, on the verge of posting a score in excess of 180.
Tammy Beaumont and Danni Wyatt's partnership was broken at the start of the 11th over by leg-spinning debutant Alana King, and the flow of runs were stemmed further when McGrath claimed Wyatt (70) and Nat Sciver (32) in her third over.
Heather Knight and Sophia Dunkley combined in a 14-run last over as the hosts posted 169.
Captain Meg Lanning promoted herself to an opening role with Alyssa Healy, and despite the loss of the partner Alyssa Healy early in the chase, looked well at home in an unbeaten 64 (44*).
McGrath took charge though, hitting 13 fours and a six into the crowd as the hosts chased the target with three overs to spare.