Tammy Beaumont continued her outstanding form, by breaking a series of batting records that will take some overhauling.
First she passed Betty Snowball’s highest ever score by an English batter that had stood for 85 years. Then, amidst huge tension, she finally tickled another single to fine-leg to receive a prolonged standing ovation.
Late in the afternoon she finally fell for 208.
That total takes on Bradmanesque proportions when we consider her 201* the last time she faced the Aussies. I have instructed the ICC to adjust its regulations and consider the England v Australia A game at Derby as first-class. That gives her a total of 409 (one not out) in successive matches. Her rivals? Len Hutton?
‘Australian shoulders are drooping’
These words were heard for the first time in cricketing history as English batters cashed in on a flat track to make the bowlers toil.
Cricket can be hard on the heart
First ball of the day: Darcie Brown to Nat Sciver-Brunt. Ball hits pad. ’Owzat?’ Out! Then comes a review. ‘Not out’. Six more hours of drama await!
Just as English optimists had been forecasting their favourite team scoring 1000+ runs, they had been brought back to reality with a thump.
From thereon things improved rapidly. NS-B’s 50 fifty came up in quick time (53”/70). In the next quarter-hour the 250 came up, then the 100 partnership.
NS-B’s first error was her last. She stepped away to Ashleigh Gardner and nicked behind. (78) That was 288-3 (stand of 137).
The 300 came up in 80 overs, Beaumont marching on. (137* RR 3.75)
Ash Gardner had now taken 2-60; there was more to come. But there was no off-spinner in the England side. As we’ll see later, Sophia Dunkley couldn’t read Gardner’s spin or her lack of it. She will be facing a lot more of it over the rest of the series.
Just pre-lunch, Healy delayed taking a second new ball in favour of Alana King’s leg-spin. At last it appeared from the umpire’s pocket. Two slips and a gully were lined up.
By now Beaumont had overtaken Sutherland’s score of 137*.
Lunch 308-3
The lunch interval on TMS was delightful. We heard a chat bewteen Heather Knight and Leah Wilkinson, the Lionesses’ captain, another reminder of the important links between women’s sporting elites.
Then a couple from South Dakota who had discovered the game online and been bewitched. They flew over to see Trent Bridge for themselves.
Finally it was the Litchfield family from Orange, NSW. Great pride shown in the girl who had come good in the best way possible.
Afternoon Session
Beaumont’s 150 was the next landmark. Dunkley dug in (strike rate only 18!). As she tried to get a move on, a swish and she was bowled (9). Gardner claimed her third wicket.
Danni Wyatt (Photo: Gareth Copley – ECB/ECB via Getty Images)
Now an emotional moment: 32-year-old Danni Wyatt at last made her test debut. Her representative debut was in 2010. She got over initial nerves to play some typically cavalier shots and reach 44. By then she and TB had added 72.
On 152 Beaumont swept at Alana King and missed. Out! On review, the ball was pitching just outside leg! ‘Reverse your decision, please.’ Another close one!
By this stage Healy had used eight bowlers; two had taken wickets.
The Archives
Now time to delve into the archives. Betty Snowball scored 189 against New Zealand in 1935. (She was born in 1908, the same year as Sir Donald Bradman). Beaumont was nearing the target; Where’s the sofa?
The 350 came up by half past two (TB 169*) Now at last the Australian fielding showed signs of wilting, a couple of misfields, a very rare occurrence.
In turn TB’s innings toppled previous English high scores: 178 beat Sarah Taylor’s 177; after that came Rachael Heyhoe Flint’s 179. Finally Snowball’s 189 to aim for.
384-4 saw the 100th over reached. Time for drinks.
Now England close within 100 runs of Australia’s total. It’s a really long haul.
Kim Garth finds herself struggling with the ball and the conditions. Some Australian heads are down – incredible!
TB reaches 180*, leaving the one (English) score ahead of her.
Wyatt is caught by Jonassen at second slip off Brown (44/49); partnership 72.
Amy Jones comes in at 390-5. When did she last do that? But her stay is short (13) as she finds a leading edge to be caught at mid-on. Now TB has only the tail left to escort her. ‘Who are you calling us the tail? We’re not rabbits!’
At 3.15 the 400 comes up for only the second time in English tests. Plus, it’s only the second time Australia have conceded 400.
TB moves to 188* off a thin edge, not leg-byes! It’s 411-5.
TB hits a 4 to reach 192*, the highest ever by an English player!
To add salt to the Aussie wounds, Sophie Ecclestone thumps the last ball to the third man boundary.
Tea: 428-6 TB 194*
England are 45 runs behind. TB tickles fine again, but only a single. 198 becomes 199. Oh, my! She sets off for a quick single but Ecclesone orders her back. Safe behind the sofa now.
Unlike certain people our hero is calm. She takes a single to reach 200*/317 (26 fours). She is given another standing ovation.
After that golden moment, wickets started to crumble; Ecclestone (17) and Kate Cross (0) go in quick succession. England are still 25 behind with only the young quicks left. But Lauren Filer runs a three to bring up the 450 and give Beaumont the strike.
The bounce is varying, but Filer hits her first boundary. She reaches 10 off 7.
At 16.44 England are 10 behind. Filer swishes again and offers an edge (11). McGrath claims her third. 463-9.
Beaumont finally falls for 208 and returns to the pavilion to even more applause. Ashleigh Gardner has trapped her to finish with 4-99. All the Australian fielders rush to congratulate her. A heart- warming sight.
Third Innings
Beaumont is allowed to put her feet up for the first time in three days.
This was a very disappointing response from the England bowlers. The orders must have been ‘Keep it tight; nick a couple of wickets.’ Nothing of the sort happened.
So it leaves the Australians with a number of options. A likely one would be, bat well into the last day, then see what the Poms have got left in them.’
Cross couldn’t hold a tough return catch; it ran away for 4. The fifty came up all too easily, yet It was the Aussies who had been toiling in the field.
The first maiden was achieved the moment Ecclestone returned to the attack in the eleventh over; 77 already on the board.
England’s bowling line-up is looking worryingly single-bore; Ecclestone has already sent down 300 deliveries. Slave-driven?
After only 16 overs, Knight brings herself on – her first bowl since 1066? It’s a maiden. To me that looks like desperation.
England may still be on the receiving end. But what an enthralling match!
Close of Play:
Australia 473 (124.2 overs) and 82-0 England 463 (121.2 overs)
