Captain Alyssa Healy screamed with delight and praised her crew’s “grit and determination” after a last-ball victory ensured Australia retained the Ashes probably the most dramatic trend within the second final sport of the collection towards England.
Veteran spinner Jess Jonassen held her nerve delivering the ultimate ball of the second ODI at Southampton with England needing a 4 to pressure a brilliant over by permitting only a single from century-maker Nat Sciver-Brunt to safe a three-run win and sparked celebrations for the vacationers who had misplaced three straight video games.
“We hung in there,” Healy mentioned declaring her crew had gained with out delivering their World Cup successful finest at any stage within the multi-format collection after taking an unassailable 8-6 factors lead.
“Our girls showed grit and determination. We still haven’t played our best cricket. We came here to win the Ashes and we’ve done that, it’s exciting and congratulations to the group for getting it done.”
Australian spinner Alana King was named participant of the match for her three wickets however it was 91 from Ellyse Perry and 50 from Annabel Sutherland who placed on an 81-run partnership to raise their crew out of bother at 5-158 and helped them attain 7-282.
Some lusty late hitting from spinner Georgia Wareham, who swatted three sixes in making 37 runs off simply 14 balls, additionally helped flip the tide.
“You talk about momentum, Wareham‘s innings allowed us to take a buzz. We were up and about and it was crucial at the back end,” Healy mentioned earlier than praising King’s job with the ball after being picked for the primary time for the reason that Test match victory initially of the collection.
“For King to come in and perform right away shows our depth,” she mentioned.
“I have no doubt that anyone in the 15 can do the job. It was stressful in the end but I really enjoyed it. We pride ourselves to win key moments.”
King produced a chunk of magic to bowl English begin Tammy Beaumont on 60, the ball pitching outdoors leg and spinning again in to take the highest of off as a spotlight of the collection.
“I haven‘t seen it, but people keep telling me it was a great ball,” King mentioned.
“My dad keeps screaming out on the balcony that it was a ripper. No doubt I will have a look at it later.
“But I‘m just glad to be back in the squad and glad we got the win.”
She mentioned there was a “big sense of relief” to win the Ashes after England gained three matches in a row to degree the collection 6-6 earlier than Australia fought again to win.
“Stoked that we won and retained the Ashes. All comes down to match-ups. I just need to ready when I can and be ready to take the opportunity when called upon,” she mentioned.
“Gotta control the controllables, just got to be the best teammate around. Got to do the work behind the scenes.”
But King additionally mentioned the job was not finished with one sport to go and Australia has the prospect to seal the collection win.
“As we said all along we came to win it,” she mentioned.
“So we have one more game to win the Ashes here.”
ASHES SERIES RESULTS
Australia leads multi-format collection 8-6
Test: Australia gained by 89 runs
First T20: Australia gained by 4 wickets
Second T20: England gained by three runs
Third T20: England gained by 5 wickets
First ODI: England gained by two wickets
Second ODI: Australia gained by three runs
Third ODI: July 18 at The County Ground, Taunton, 1pm (10pm AEST)
Originally printed as Australia gained a last-ball ODI thriller to retain the Ashes
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au