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.
View : 1.3K
3 Min Read
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:
Thrilling draw in women’s #Ashes Test. Sometimes a draw can be the best advertisement for the longest format. Great fightback by Eng in first innings thru Heather Knight, sporting declaration by Aus, spirited chase in the 4th innings and a result that does credit to both teams
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 30, 2022
What an unbelievable game of cricket!
Four days of action coming down to the final ball, defended by Kate Cross for the draw to keep the Women's #Ashes series alive! pic.twitter.com/3BYVpGgMFq
— ICC (@ICC) January 30, 2022
If test cricket is great, women’s test cricket is greater! #Ashes
— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny) January 30, 2022
Draws in Women's Tests with 9 wickets down in 4th innings
NZ vs Eng, Auckland, 1957
Eng vs Ind, Hyderabad, 1995
Eng vs Aus, Canberra, 2022#Ashes— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 30, 2022
Well played Meg Lanning, Heather Knight and both teams. In just 10 sessions (not because of it), they've engineered an excellent, compelling Test. More of it, across five days. And also, crucially, time for multi-day domestic women's cricket. Let this be a springboard. #Ashes
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) January 30, 2022
so. shook.
One wicket required. #Ashes pic.twitter.com/HvK6PR3JZM
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) January 30, 2022
Dear ICC and All the cricket boards around the world,
What more can they do?
Sincerely,
A women's cricket lover #Ashes— Poulami (@Crictopher17) January 30, 2022
Long live Women's Ashes!
Long live Women's Test Cricket!#Ashes #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/PPSu9Wijwp
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 30, 2022
Another women's Test peters out to a dull draw. #Ashes
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) January 30, 2022
We have now witnessed two close exciting Women's Test matches in the last seven months.. first, the drawn encounter #EngvInd at Bristol in June 2021 and now this #Ashes #AusvEng Test at Canberra.
Also the day-night Test #AusvInd at the Carrara Oval in Sep/Oct 2021.— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 30, 2022
Oh my god !!! I love test cricket – women’s test cricket even more 🔥 #Ashes #AusvsEng
— Veda Krishnamurthy (@vedakmurthy08) January 30, 2022
A nail-biter in Canberra!
Five overs remain. England need 25 runs. Australia need five wickets!
Watch the finish of the Women's #Ashes Test live and free on https://t.co/CPDKNxpgZ3 (in select regions) 📺 pic.twitter.com/wQ1uddH0Np
— ICC (@ICC) January 30, 2022
Women's Ashes >>> Men's Ashes
— Izz #408 (@Pacebouncy) January 30, 2022
What a fight by both teams 🔥❤ Time to make it 5 days and more matches of women's test please @ICC #women #Ashes pic.twitter.com/ynjgi5K10v
— Pappu 🇦🇺 (@pappuschagne) January 30, 2022
Download Our App