Twitter Reactions: Momentum enjoys rollercoaster ride as Women's Ashes Test results in thrilling draw

The proceedings went right down to the wire in the nail-biting clash.

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Australia Women. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

While the 2021-22 edition of men’s Ashes saw Australia’s one-sided dominance, that wasn’t the case in the one-off women’ Ashes Test. The game went right down to the wire and both teams were equidistant from a win. However, England, chasing 257, could only post 245/9. As the hosts also failed to take the final wicket, the exciting game ended in a draw.

Earlier in the game, England Women won the toss and opted to bowl at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. Australia got off to a disastrous start as they lost two wickets with just four runs on the board. However, opener Rachael Haynes joined forces with skipper Meg Lanning and the duo added 169 runs for the fourth wicket. Tahlia McGrath and Ashleigh Gardner also chipped in with fifties as the hosts declared at 337/9.

Heather Knight stood as lone warrior in England’s first innings

England’s first innings also didn’t get off to a great start with openers Lauren Winfield Hill and Tammy Beaumont perishing with just 23 runs on the board. Skipper Heather Knight, however, was a woman on a mission as she put up a batting exhibition. Despite not receiving much support from the other hand, the veteran batter slammed a delightful ton. While her innings ended at 168, number-10 batter Sophie Ecclestone was the second-highest scorer with 34.

As a result, the Three Lions managed 297 runs, handing the home team a 40-run lead. The tale of top-order failures continued as Australia lost both openers for 12 runs in their second innings. Nonethless, the middle-order clicked as the likes of Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath and Ashleigh Gardner played substantial knocks, helping the Aussies declared at 216/7.

A target of 257 runs meant England were going for a win. However, they needed to score these runs at around five runs per over. This equation meant the clash is set for a thrilling finish. For a change, both openers clicked in the game as the visitors lost their first wicket with 52 runs on the board. The baton was then passed onto Heather Knight and Natalie Sciver, who didn’t disappoint and recorded scores of 48 and 58 respectively.

Notably, these top-order batters scored at a substantial strike rate as well. Coming to bat at number five, Sophia Dunkley pushed the Aussies further on backfoot with a blistering knock. Her 32-ball 45 made England’s win look a mere formality. However, the English team then lost four wickets inside 18 runs to spice up the proceedings even further.

England were suddenly nine down with 13 more runs needed for victory. Both sides were roughly equidistant from a win but time ran out and the nail-biting game ended in a draw.

Meanwhile, let’s look at how Twitterati reacted to the thrilling clash:

 

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