England women’s Ashes defence will face a pivotal day on Friday after rain, and an inspired Katherine Brunt new-ball burst, failed to prevent Australia from edging further ahead in the Kia Test.
In the two-and-a-half hours’ play between the downpours, Australia reached 90 for four to lead the hosts by 196 run going into the fourth and final day.
England’s Anya Shrubsole appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of Alex Blackwell Photo: Getty Images for the ECB
Australia, starting their second innings on a gloomy third morning but despite a 106-run first innings lead already in the bank, were soon in trouble against the pace of Brunt.
Bowling for the first time in the match down the Nackington Road slope, Brunt struck with her fifth ball of the morning, to send back Elyse Villani for a duck, with an off-cutter that slid past the right-hander’s back-foot defensive push, to poleaxe off stump.
In her next over, Brunt, whose opening deliveries were clocked at 75mph, nipped one back inside the defensive push of Meg Lanning, to send the Australia captain back to the pavilion for a third-ball duck and make it two for two after three overs.
Thunderstorms and lightning strikes hit soon after at 11.31am, resulting in a flooded outfield, and a delay of just over four hours as the groundstaff at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence worked minor miracles to get the field fit for a 3.45pm re-start.
The last meaningful action of the day involved Alex Blackwell who, with her score on nine and the total at 68 for four, was seemingly caught at slip by Heather Knight off the bowling of Brunt. Though given out, Blackwell stalled three-quarters of the way back to the boundary ropes to instigate the first reviewed catch in the history of women’s Test cricket.
After lengthy consideration Martin Saggers, the third official for the Test, gave Blackwell the benefit of the doubt and overturned the decision.
Jess Jonassen, who hit 99 in Australia’s first innings, revealed greater intent as she rushed to an unbeaten 29 – including hitting Laura Marsh’s spin for six – to offer an insight into the haste with which the tourists are likely to begin tomorrow.
Even before the rain swept back in at 6pm to force the players off for the day, England already knew they would face a world record run-chase in women’s cricket if they are to win this game.
Australia lead the multi-format series 4-2 with victory in this match worth four points. Three NatWest T20 Internationals conclude the series, which are worth six points in total.
England women v Australia women – day three (of four) Kia Women’s Ashes Test match, The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury
Australia women won the toss and elected to bat
Australia women – 274-9 declared (Jess Jonassen 99, Anya Shrubsole 4-63, Laura Marsh 2-42, Katherine Brunt 2-60)
101 overs – first innings
England women – 168 (Katherine Brunt 39, Natalie Sciver 35, Megan Schutt 4-26, Ellyse Perry 3-38)
84.4 overs – first innings
Australia women – 90-4 (Jess Jonassen 29*, Alex Blackwell 15*, Katherine Brunt 2-28)
38 overs – second innings
Australia lead by 196 runs with 6 wickets remaining
