Sciver guides England to consolation Ashes win
A brilliant allround performance from Natalie Sciver ensured England Women ended their Ashes campaign on a good note when they beat Australia by five wickets in the final T20 in Cardiff on Monday.
Having already relinquished the urn to the Southern Stars, England came into the match determined to give their fans something to shout about and Sciver delivered.
After England won the toss and chose to field, Sciver took four for 15 from her four overs of medium-pace while Anya Shrubsole also chipped in with four wickets as they bowled the visitors out for just 111.
Alex Blacwell and Grace Harris, both with 24, top-scored in a disappointing batting effort from Australia. Maybe the were thinking about the celebrations that were to come.
Sciver, batting at number four, then hit a polished 47 from 44 balls as a seemingly nervous English side won by five wickets with 11 balls to spare.
Australia bowler Rene Farrell put the cat among the pigeons early when she removed Charlotte Edwards and Sarah Taylor with only eight runs on the board.
England were then 22 for three but Sciver, Lydia Greenway (20*) and Katherine Brunt (17) ensured the hosts got the consolation win.
Although the home side won the three-match T20 series two-one, Australia won the Ashes urn after they won the ODI leg of the competition and the one-off Test match.
Latest
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.
-
England
Andrew Flintoff would be excellent England coach – Rob Key
The former national team captain will lead Northern Superchargers in The Hundred this summer.
-
County Cricket
We’re going to show you – Graham Onions feels Durham are back where they belong
The former England paceman is back as his home county as lead bowling coach as they return to Division One.