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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Adam Collins (earlier) & Vithushan Ehantharajah (later)

England keep Women's Ashes series alive with draw in only Test – as it happened

Heather Knight
England’s Heather Knight bats as the pink ball begins to glow. Photograph: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

That's it from us!

So ends four days of absorbing moments that has, ultimately, proved fruitless for the series. Australia still hold their two-point advantage going into the three T20is – the first of which takes place at the North Sydney Oval on Wednesday. Hopefully it’ll have quickened up a touch by then. We’ll have OBO coverage of that, too. Join us, won’t you?

Adam Collins’ report will drop in soon. But until then, it’s good bye from here! Enjoy your Sundays...

Updated

Ric Finlay breaks down the numbers:


Heather Knight says the hardest thing she had to do in her first Test as captain was watch Ellyse Perry bat.

“We probably weren’t happy [with their first innings total of 280]. A lot of our top-order got starts but didn’t go on.” On her own form, Knight’s pretty happy: “I’m enjoying batting at the moment. O’m hitting them well. I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of the pink ball under lights.”

“We’ve got a massive battle on our hands now, having to win every match.”

Match declared a draw!

105th over: England 206-2 (Knight 79, Elwiss 41) – lead by 38 runs

Just before this over, Rachel Haynes is in discussion with the umpires, perhaps asking about pulling out early. Heather Knight and Georgia Elwiss wait, mid-pitch, watching on. Jonassen continues to Elwiss. With a ball to go, Jonassen walks to deep mid off to meet her captain and kill some time. The equivalent of taking the ball to the corner in injury time. Drinks are called after the final ball is bowled and, after a lot of dialogue between Knight, Jenny Gunn (12thers) and Danielle Hazell (13thers), the captains shake hands and we have a draw! Both teams take two points each.

Australia 6-4 England

104th over: England 208-2 (Knight 79, Elwiss 41)

Opening batsman Nicole Bolton is going to turn her arm over. It’s off-spin, but the sort of off-spin every Tonya, Di and Sally can bowl. Knight gets on strike and thumps one through cover for her 11th boundary.

103rd over: England 201-2 (Knight 75, Elwiss 40)

Here we go... a couple of fours for Knight takes her to 75, as Jonassen over-pitches. The England captain might be the only one who wants to stay out there with that hundred in the offing...

102nd over: England 193-2 (Knight 67, Elwiss 40) – lead by 25 runs

Wellington continues from around the wicket and Knight nails a sweep straight at midwicket. Frustrated, she dabs the next ball straight to backward point and charges off. Georgia Elwiss, gloves in her left hand, is not ready and ends up putting in a dive to make her ground. Replays show the bails being removed with just a smidge of bat over the line. A frame in it, but Not Out...

101st over: England 190-2 (Knight 66, Elwiss 40) – lead by 22 runs

Good shot from Elwiss, who pushes back off her front foot and lashes a cut through backward point. The outfield ensures it’s pulled up for just two, so Elwiss punches through cover to get another couple.

Updated

100th over: England 186-2 (Knight 66, Elwiss 36) – lead by 18 runs

Total attendance over the Test has been 12,674. That’s great stuff, though they – the fans and the players – have deserved a better pitch considering the skill and atmoshpere in the last four days.

Updated

99th over: England 185-2 (Knight 66, Elwiss 35) – lead by 17 runs

Just a bye.


Updated

98th over: England 184-2 (Knight 66, Elwiss 35) – lead by 16 runs

Turn from the rough outside of leg stump that Wellington is using well, it has to be said. LBW taken out of the equation of course, even if Wellington’s still appealing, but she almost draws a leading edge as Knight lazily tries to work something into the leg side.

Updated

97th over: England 184-2 Knight 66, Elwiss 35) – lead by 16 runs

Knight pulling out the trickshots. An under-edge grazes off stump, nutmegs Alyssa Healy and runs away for a single to nick the strike. Can’t teach that...

Updated

96th over: England 182-2 (Knight 34, Knight 65) – 14 runs

Change of approach from Wellington – over the wicket, now, to the right-handers. The kind of variation that would have excited a few hours ago but is now just something to cross off amid the tedium.

Updated

95th over: England 182-2 (Knight 65, Elwiss 34)

Nicely done by Knight, who steps across and gets in line with Jonassen’s arm ball to lap it around the corner for a single. Keeps the strike.

94th over: England 180-2 (Knight 64, Elwiss 33)

England’s running between the wickets really hasn’t been great this Test. In another match, there’d have been a few dreadful run outs. Knight and Elwiss lose their voices and end up having to call with their feet after the latter punches out to cover.

93rd over: England 178-2 (Knight 63, Elwiss 32) – lead by 10 runs

Somehow, Elwiss has edged a full toss through the legs of Healy and just over the helmet behind the Australian wicketkeeper. Not great cricket, all told. Oh and forget Heather Knight Century Watch – all in on this:

Updated

92nd over: England 174-2 (Knight 63, Elwiss 28) – lead by 6 runs

Knight cashing in as Wellington floats one up outside off stump and the England skipper plants her front foot and punches the ball through extra cover. England have a lead... but also nearly lose Knight as she edges wide of first slip.

Updated

91st over: England 168-2 (Knight 57, Elwiss 28)

Think we’re basically on Heather Knight century watch now. The commentators are discussing how best to make Yorshire puddings. Unsurprisingly, Charlotte Edwards knows what she’s doing.

SCORES LEVEL

90th over: England 168-2 (Knight 57, Elwiss)

Knight bunts through midwicket and is only robbed of a boundary by the chase of her opposite number. Australia captain Rachel Haynes keeping it to two. Nevermind – Knight gets a wide delivery and plays it through point for four. And with that... the defecit is no more!

Now, about that leave:

89th over: England 162-2 (Knight 51, Elwiss 28)

Wow wow wow – how close was that?! Good leave, technically, but Georgia Elwiss needed every drop of fortunte there as she leaves a ball from Jonassen which gives off stump a peck on the cheek.

KNIGHT GOES TO HER SECOND FIFTY IN THE MATCH!

88th over: England 162-2 (Knight 51, Elwiss 28)

A sweep around the corner for four and then a couple to square leg take Heather Knight to 51 from 163 deliveries. Amanda-Jade Wellington’s the bowler. Aside from that *speccy* to remove Tammy Beaumont, we’ve not see much else...

87th over: England 156-2 (Knight 45, Elwiss 28) – trail by 12 runs

A bit of turn but more or less a regulation six as the sands of time pass. Elwiss threatens to open this game up as she nearly edges behind. Then she bunts a full toss through cover for four.

The players are making their way back out to the middle. Australia look like they’ve had too much sugar. Heather Knight and Georgia Elwiss take their time. Jess Jonassen gets us underway...

Updated

Something to keep an eye on...

DINNER – England trail by 19 runs

86th over: England 152-2 (Knight 45, Elwiss 24)

Here we go – last over before the 40-minute break and Ellyse Perry is coming around the wicket to Heather Knight. The first ball is whipped away to deep square leg, where the fielder stationed in that region means Elwiss is back on strike. Sways again to avoid a couple and then punches a single to cover to allow Knight to face the last ball of the session... which is defended into the off side. And off we go. A wicketless middle session sees Australia drag themselves off with a wry smile or two. Knight and Elwiss look pleased as punch. Back soon...

85th over: England 149-2 (Knight 44, Elwiss 23) – trail by 19 runs

A short ball from Schutt this time. She’s not got as much behind her as Perry, so not only does Elwiss not need to hurry on the pull shot, but she can also readjust, checking the shot so that it grounds a couple of feet in front of that catching midwicket.

Updated

84th over: England 149-2 (Knight 44, Elwiss 23) – trail by 19 runs

Better from Perry! A snorter to Elwiss, who sways out of the way, dropping the hands in the process. Well played. Can’t say the same for the last ball of the over... Elwiss gets another short ball and just helps it around the corner. However, the fielder at fine leg can only get to it on the bounce. Single taken.

Updated

83rd over: England 148-2 (Knight 44, Elwiss 22) – trail by 20 runs

Catching midwicket now for Schutt – Haynes – who dives to her left to stop Knight pilfering more runs. They may as well shake hands here and now.

82nd over: England 148-2 (Knight 44, Elwiss 22) – trail by 20 runs

Perry starts full with her first ball and Knight punches her through cover for a couple. Three balls later, she drops-and-runs into the same region. Easy pickings. With Elwiss on strike, Perry digs in a bouncer that’s pretty decent in terms of height, but innocuous as it holds its line outside off-stump.

81st over: England 145-2 (Knight 41, Elwiss 22) – trail by 23 runs

Oooooo how’s that one?! First delivery with the second new ball, Megan Schutt gets it to hoop big and strike Knight on the front pad. Luckily for her and England, it’s done too much. A single gives Elwiss the last few and Schutt gives her a bit of a working over, with two balls that jag in off the surface, too. Only one slip though. No harm in chucking in a bat-pad or catching cover, surely??

Updated

80th over: England 144-2 (Knight 40, Elwiss 21) – trail by 24 runs

Forward press, thick inside edge behind square leg and Elwiss has her first run in yonks. Penultimate ball of that Wellington over, Knight sweeps around the corner for a single that moves her to 40. And in line to face the new ball, which will be taken...

79th over: England 142-2 (Knight 39, Elwiss 21) – trail by 26 runs

“I like the plan from Elyse Villani,” muses former Southern Star Mel Jones on commentary. “Just lulling England into a false sense of security,” she finishes, tongue firmly in cheek, as Knight cuts loose through cover point for her third boundary in as many overs.

Updated

78th over: England 138-2 (Knight 35, Elwiss 21) – trail by 30 runs

The ball’s back in Wellington’s hands, at least for the next couple of overs before the new pink pill. Another maiden played out by Elwiss.

77th over: England 138-2 (Knight 35, Elwiss 21) – trail by 30 runs

Heather Knight’s not going to look a part-time bowler in the mouth: another wide delivery from Haynes and the England captain rocks back and cuts behind point this time for another boundary.

76th over: England 134-2 (Knight 31, Elwiss 21) – trail by 34 runs

Elwiss reaches her Cowan (100 balls) for 21, as Tahlia McGrath forces her into a play and miss outside off stump. Shame that this pitch is taking the spoils. A harder surface would have really spiced this up. It also would have destroyed the pink ball after 20 overs.

Updated

75th over: England 134-2 (Knight 31, Elwiss 21) – trail by 34 runs

Oi oi – Rachel Haynes into the attack. The stand-in commander-in-chief brings herself on for some left-arm wobble around the wicket. We’re skipper-to-skipper here, a la Vaughan v Ponting in 2005:

Knight wins this round, though, as Haynes drops short and Knight pops her through cover pont for four.

Updated

74th over: England 130-2 (Knight 27, Elwiss 21) – trail by 38

Pace on the ball now as Tahlia McGrath comes on. Alyssa Healy stays up to the stumps and is doing her best to lift her 10 other mates in the field. Elwiss again plays out a maiden but only because of some good fielding at backward point.

73rd over: England 130-2 (Knight 27, Elwiss 21) – trail by 38

The kids in the crowd are turning on each other, using the Cricket Australia “boing sticks” to slap each other around the head. Anarchy rules in North Sydney. A couple of runs taken off that Wellington over. Trying to think of other ways we can settle this particular Test, even if a draw keeps the series alive into the T20 leg. Give this from 2015 another go?

Updated

72nd over: England 128-2 (Knight 25, Elwiss 21)

Elwiss fancies some runs and a red inker. More power to her. Great opportuity for her to put on a decent score. Jonassen’s left-arm twirlers are driven classily but straight to fielders, though, so somehow that’s a maiden. What a tidbit this is, by the way, regarding that Elwiss boundary in the previous over...

71st over: England 128-2 (Knight 25, Elwiss 21)

G’day, OBO-ers. Pleasure to be with you for the last session-and-a-half of this Test match. Amanda-Jade Wellington continuing but losing her line, understandably, in her 25th over. A couple of sweeps don’t do much damage, but a full ball outside off is driven classily by Georgia Elwiss for four through cover. The new ball is now eight overs away. Unless it’s stuffed full of candy, it’s unlikely to bring Australia much joy this evening...

70th over: England 122-2 (Elwiss 16, Knight 24)

Ten overs until the new ball is due. Jonassen over the wicket to Knight. Has a ring field and only slip catching. All a bit drab. “She looks like she could still be here batting on Thursday,” Mel Jones says on the radio. Not wrong. She’s up to 117 balls now, adding one to her total with another well-struck sweep. Elwiss plays out the rest. They’ve earned their drink. Only 28 runs in the hour, but the England pair couldn’t care less about that. They are doing a job and doing it well.

And with that, I’m out of here. Thanks for your company on the OBO this weekend. Over to Vish in London who steer it through to the end. Bye!

Updated

69th over: England 121-2 (Elwiss 16, Knight 23)

Wello to Knighter. Once again takes a single early in the over to the gap at midwicket. Elwiss makes her own excitement, taking a relatively quick single to point. Knight makes it three for the over (wow!) with one to cover. One more over to drinks.

68th over: England 118-2 (Elwiss 15, Knight 21)

The Bolton Experiment is over. Sad. Jonassen back instead. Knight clips into midwicket with nice timing, collecting a single. Elwiss sees it out. So that gets the deficit to an even 50. Let’s call that the #auspol equivalent of a budget deficit 1% of GDP - i.e. under control and nothing much to worry about. Right? Sorry.



67th over: England 117-2 (Elwiss 15, Knight 20)

Oh there it is. Wellington gets one to talk at Elwiss. Serious bounce and turn, so much so that it evades Healy’s gloves. Maiden, that.

66th over: England 117-2 (Elwiss 15, Knight 20)

Bolton clocks a maiden. Suggesting that Knight has reached the point where she doesn’t care what is coming down at her, she will be defending. Understandably. The deficit is 51. Very managable.


Updated

65th over: England 117-2 (Elwiss 15, Knight 20)

Mel Jones raises an interesting point. Get Villani on, because no England player would dare want to get out to her very grotty medium pace. I like it. Get her on. Better now than, you know, in a World Cup semi-final. The last time she was asked to have a trundle. Wellington drops short early and Elwiss takes one, Knight gets a single to the same sweeper (why is there a sweeper?) off the front foot to finish it off. She’s made it to 20 from 100 balls. The second number more important than the first.

64th over: England 115-2 (Elwiss 14, Knight 19)

Well, there it is. Knight takes a single down the ground, no concerns there. But Bolton beats the bat of Elwiss! Done by a distinct lack of turn there, I fancy. 45 minutes into the session. That clock pressure will start influencing Haynes soon enough.

63rd over: England 113-2 (Elwiss 13, Knight 18)

It’s drifting. Knight has faced 94 balls and Elwiss 59. They are both very much in. That’s 65 for the latter by the time she sees off another Wellington maiden without any real trouble. Has to play throughout, but that seems to be working for her.

62nd over: England 113-2 (Elwiss 13, Knight 18)

Elwiss gets off strike first ball, leaving the captain to deal with Bolton. She does so without temptation. Another song, then?

There’s a good Dr Karl Kennedy story about this song, but I don’t have time to tell it right now. Maybe later when Vish is here.


61st over: England 112-2 (Elwiss 12, Knight 18)

Wellington to Elwiss, who has faced 53 balls now. Her scoring area, tucks into midwicket, is found again for one about half way through the over. Short leg is no longer in play for Knight. Why is that, then? She nearly finds the other fielder under the lid though, silly point in the game.

A song to break things up? I have a reference point:

Cue Rachael Haynes.



60th over: England 111-2 (Elwiss 11, Knight 18)

It is Bolton! They must be listening! I like this. She bowls inoffensive off-spin, but it seems to work. Took more than a handful in the WBBL last year and claimed a couple of World Cup wickets against India (from memory) back in July. Loved it to, wheeling around like she had won the 100m at the Olympics. Knight cuts a shot one to point for one. There’s a full toss in there not capitalised on. Elwiss keeps the strike with a push to the legside. The over has It has Got Things Happening though, so that isn’t for nothing.

59th over: England 109-2 (Elwiss 10, Knight 17)

The conversation continues on the radio about how Haynes might change it up. The consensus is that they should set-and-forget with Wellington from the Fig Tree End before some blue-sky thinking from the City End. Villani? Bolton? Haynes? Cases can be made for each. For now, Wellington isn’t posing as many problems as she has in previous overs, Elwiss into double figures with a tuck then Knight sweeping as she does so well to take another. The deficit narrows to 59.

58th over: England 107-2 (Elwiss 9, Knight 16)

Perry does go at it again from the City End. Knight is looking better by the ball. Lisa Sthalekar is backing in some funky fields, but also some unorthodox bowling changes. Rachael Haynes is her choice, with some cheeky left-arm mediums. “Because England might just switch off when it isn’t a Wellington or a Schutt,” Charles Dagnall adds. They are right in saying that there have been quite a few wickets in this Test from poor deliveries. Perry does get one to jag back at Knight with the fourth ball of this set, but the inside edge spills safely into the legside. She’s back outside the off-stump to finish off, Knight happy to leave alone. Maiden.



57th over: England 107-2 (Elwiss 9, Knight 16)

A rare full toss from Wellington, but Elwiss slaps it back to the bowler rather than over the fence. She’s more comfortable, it seems, when the leggie is on the mark, defending with the pad well forward. She had a crack at a full-blooded sweep, but doesn’t make good contact. Indeed, had deep backward square been at more a catching 45, it would have been out. Not sure why they have two out for Wellington at this stage. Lead is still 61, but runs aren’t really that important, are they? It’ll take until deep into the session until they overtake Australia. As it happens, they agree with me on the radio, having the same discussion as I tap this post out.

56th over: England 105-2 (Elwiss 7, Knight 16)

Another Perry no-ball. That’s her fourth of the day. Don’t see them that often in the modern game. Knight very solid here. Really hitting those drives hard. Not sure if they will stick with Perry here. McGrath and Schutt both more effective before tea as they generate more natural variation through the air. Even with the old ball, it seemed.

55th over: England 104-2 (Elwiss 7, Knight 16)

Wellington generates a whole lot of overspin. It’s part of her charm, getting that natural dip that can so easily do players on length. That she then turns it a a foot or more is cream on the cake. In that first WBBL a couple of summers ago she bowled Meg Lanning around her legs first ball on a game that had no TV or live stream. One of the moments of that tournament (that we got very excited about at the ground) that must have played a hand in making sure every game had a camera on it in season two. True to form, a beautiful delivery to end the probing over, beating Elwiss’ outstretched bat. Had to play with it pitching on about middle stump. Top shelf.

54th over: England 102-2 (Elwiss 6, Knight 15)

I must admit, I missed the ball where Knight picked up a single to move England to 100, but I’m sure she got to the other end and a run was recorded. So there we have it, another little milestone. Another front foot no-ball - Perry’s third today - then a single from Elwiss around the corner makes three from the over. Positvely blistering!



53rd over: England 99-2 (Elwiss 5, Knight 14)

Knight’s first run for the session comes, sweeping Wellington. Plays that shot expertly. Elwiss looking the part early on here. Very content with the dead bat. What they need.

I don’t like code war stuff, but I would note here that more people watched the Women’s ODI the week before last (500k) than popped on the Socceroos yesterday morning. How many would have chucked it on last night when Perry was nearing 200? We’ll never know.



52nd over: England 98-2 (Elwiss 5, Knight 13)

Perry has swung around to the City End this time around, with Wellington bowling the last over from the Fig Tree End before the breather. Steady as she goes to begin. Oooh, until the last ball - that’s a very good slower one coming back at the no. 4, leaving it to just pass by the off-stump.

Players are back. Some instructive shots on TV before they return of the ball. It is 51 overs old and looks pretty much cooked. 29 overs until they get a new one. So it’ll be the old-school women’s cricket spin to win if Australia are to make a big mark in this middle session. Perry has the first one though. Bowling to Elwiss.

TEA - England 98-2

A result that both teams probably would have taken to begin the day. England have got through the opening two hours losing two wickets and adding 55 runs, leaving them 70 in the black.

Beaumont and Winfield nearly got through the first hour unscathed, but that was until Wellington stamped her influence on this final day with a genius piece of leg-spin bowling. It’s a replay that won’t get old any time soon, hitting the England opener’s middle stump after pitching outside leg stump. Delicious.

Winfield was ticking along solidly, but was the second to fall when McGrath came into the attack and slipped a yorker onto her toe on the full, making the leg before decision a formality. The captain Knight was joined by Elwiss, the two getting through the last half-hour slowly but solidly. No concerns there so far.

Righto. Time for a sandwich. Back in 15.

Updated

51st over: England 98-2 (Knight 13, Elwiss 5)

Wellington versus Knight for the final leg of this session. It’s going as planned to begin - probing length, committed defence, But the leggie misses her line and the England captain plays her most effective shot, the sweep. She hits it hard to the sweeper McGrath but it is misfielded and goes for four! Looked like she was trying to take it just as sun morphed into shade. I’m sure that will be her reasoning. And that is tea!


50th over: England 94-2 (Knight 9, Elwiss 5)

Fantastic from Australia, doing exactly as I guessed and rushing through a Jonassen maiden in no more than 90 seconds. Elwiss had to defend as well, meaning the ball got back quickly. So Wellington once more it will be. Again: very good cricket.

49th over: England 94-2 (Knight 9, Elwiss 5)

Yes, Wellington does get another jam roll before the interval. It’ll only be one, as they will break in five minutes. From the other end to where she operated earlier. Has a slip, silly point and short leg, rolling to Elwiss over the wicket. Oh, close leave near off-stump to begin. The bowler likes it too, though. Has a decent wrong’un in her kit bag - will we see that? Nup, a full toss. Elwiss then reaches wide when she probably should have left again, but gets off strike. Knight’s turn, fielders again around the bat. But she has the composure to pat the last couple down. Can Jonassen get though a 90 second over to get Wellington another before the break? The England pair taking their time between overs to do what they can to prevent that. That’s good cricket as well.

48th over: England 93-2 (Knight 9, Elwiss 4)

Knight has Jonassen’s measure here. She’s drawing her forward from around the wicket, but the England captain is very solid. Another over, another maiden. She has three of those in this five over spell from the City End. Four of the last six overs in the game have been maidens as well.



47th over: England 93-2 (Knight 9, Elwiss 4)

Better from Elwiss to begin, pushing McGrath for a couple. Getting a nice stride in when defending as well. Felt for Elwiss as England celebrated that World Cup win. Didn’t do a lot wrong when Mark Robinson took over as coach, moving her to no. 3 in the process. She was essentially sqeezed out of the starting XI by Fran Wilson, who hadn’t played in about six years at that stage. And never got back. But has her chance now to play an influential hand in a very important day of cricket in the context of this series. Remember, if England lose today the trophy remains in Australia regardless of what happens in the T20s.


Updated

46th over: England 91-2 (Knight 9, Elwiss 2)

Took Jonassen a couple of overs to find her length, but she has done so now. Knight is up to the task defending then driving, but unable to pick a gap. Reckon we might get another blast from Wellington before lunch, actually. Can’t hurt.

45th over: England 91-2 (Knight 9, Elwiss 2)

McGrath running away from us here in the Molly Dive Stand. She’s yet to miss her length across three overs. She wins Elwiss’ outside edge too, but along the ground. Two runs down to a vacant third man gets her off the mark. Then beats her with a slower ball! Very, very impressive cricketer, Tahlia McGrath. Expect her to get the ball quite a lot over the next few hours.



Updated

44th over: England 89-2 (Knight 9, Elwiss 0)

Knight picks cover time and again, then get her head well over the ball in defence. No runs from it, but six more balls absorbed. Good batting from the England captain.

43rd over: England 89-2 (Knight 9, Elwiss 0)

Wicket maiden complete, giving Georgia Elwiss no chance to get off the mark with five more excellent dots. Fantastic bowling. Elwiss was brought back into the England XI after a year in exile to bolster the batting. Did well to face 100-odd balls in the first dig. Would the visitors would give for a similar stay at the crease from her today.

WICKET! Winfield lbw McGrath 34 (England 89-2)

Oh yes, that is very out! McGrath yorks her, getting it on the toe. No question about where that was heading. Her debut gets better and better. Winfield was looking excellent in the first hour but slowed down a bit since she lost Beaumont. England trail by 79 runs.

42nd over: England 89-1 (Winfield 34, Knight 9)

Jonassen versus Knight. And the latter gets the better of it, sweeping with power down to the rope. That’s their shot, England making four times the amount of runs from the sweep shot than any other country in ODIs in 2017.

41st over: England 85-1 (Winfield 34, Knight 5)

Schutt’s tidy spell is complete, Tahlia McGrath given a chance from the Moreton Fig Tree End. The 22-year-old all rounder has had an excellent Test debut, grabbing a couple of first innings wickets then putting on 103 with Perry yesterday before giving it away three runs short of a half-century. A single to Knight but nothing further. Tidy.

40th over: England 84-1 (Winfield 34, Knight 4)

Righto, Haynes has changed it up from the City End, replacing the wicket taker Wellington with spin of another kind, Jonassen’s left arm orthodox. And she beats Knight first ball! Excellent drift from around the wicket. The England skipper gets off strike with a sweep when the finger spinner misses her line. Then when missing her length, Winfield cashes in for a rare boundary! It was a long hop, but the England opener got into position with purpose and flogged it through midwicket from deep in the crease. Certainly one way to transfer pressure back onto Australia is getting this to a stage where they have to bat a second time. 84 runs away from that.

39th over: England 79-1 (Winfield 30, Knight 3)

Another big shout for LBW, but Winfield is saved by the considerable swing that Schutt gets into the right hander. The replay confirms it is doing plenty, but that’ll encourage the hosts as it is still hooping around from her end. She’s right on middle stump to finish the over, knocked on the head by the opener off the back foot. England trail by 89.

38th over: England 79-1 (Winfield 30, Knight 3)

Winfield into the 30s hitting the sweeper at cover when Wellington overpitches. Nothing else to see here. Australia need to find another way through.

37th over: England 78-1 (Winfield 29, Knight 3)

Charlotte Edwards is pitching up Elyse Villani for a bowl to mix up England’s thinking. Very tongue in cheek, even though it was the Perth Scorchers player who had to deliver the 50th over in the World Cup match between these two teams in July. Fair to say that didn’t go so well. It is Schutt for now. She is getting enough natural movement with her action into the right handers. Knight uses that movement to take a couple out to straight midwicket. No further runs. The deficit is 90.

36th over: England 76-1 (Winfield 29, Knight 1)

Wellington is throwing it up from over the wicket this time around at Winfield. Still has the cover out. But silly point in. Maiden, both sticking to their very clear plans. Seven runs in seven overs since England lost their wicket, Ric Finlay reports on the ABC.

Updated

35th over: England 76-1 (Winfield 29, Knight 1)

Knight off the mark for real this time, with a single off Schutt out to midwicket. “If this situation is built for anyone in the England team it is Heather Knight,” says Charles Dagnall on the radio. Winfield now. Who is hit on the pad! Big shout turned down. Rightly so - it is going well down the legside. She strays down that way again and the opener gets a single to fine leg to ensure she’ll be up against Wellington again next over.



Updated

34rd over: England 74-1 (Winfield 28, Knight 0)

I like this a lot, Wellington now around the wicket to Winfield. Leg slip introduced. “I don’t know why they have a deep cover,” Charlotte Edwards says on the radio. The opener is forward, good footwork to score down the ground for a couple. Silly point also in for the last ball, with Wellington back over the wicket. She leaves. Also, note that I’m adjusting Knight’s score back to zero. Her alleged run was actually a leg bye, with the various scoreboards now updated.

33rd over: England 72-1 (Winfield 26, Knight 1)

Last over before drinks and it is Schutt to Knight. There’s a pattern emerging from this end already with the Australian seamer, dropping it on a length with the England captain happy to get her eye in pushing into the field. So that is the first hour done. England have added 32. More importantly, they nearly got through without loss, until Wellington’s piece of magic. Another couple before lunch and it’ll be game on big time. On the other hand, if Winfield - who is going very well - can combine with Knight for the next hour, England will be well on the way to sharing the honours.

32nd over: England 72-1 (Winfield 26, Knight 1)

Catchers around the England captain at short leg, silly point and slip. The intensity up several notches immediately with that Wellington wicket, the second time in the match she picked up Beaumont with a ripper in this match. It gets better with every replay. Take a Captain Cook for yourself. Adam Gilchrist compared her to Shane Warne when watching her run amok on telly as an 18 year old in the WBBL a couple of summers ago. Geoff Lemon and I were calling that game for White Line Wireless and made similar bold calls. Vindicated when she does stuff like this. And that’s all the time.



Updated

WICKET! Beaumont b Wellington 37 (England 71-1)

WHAT A BALL! Wellington has pitched outside leg-stump with ample drift before ripping it past the outside edge and clipping off-stump. Oh, that is perfection from the 20-year-old. Not much Beaumont could do about that. The stuff dreams are made off for leg spinners. It has taken the better part of an hour, but the Australians are away on this fourth and final day. “An absolute peach!” Mel Jones says on the radio. Too right. Magnificent.

Updated

31st over: England 71-0 (Winfield 26, Beaumont 37)

A rare boundary, Lauren Winfield waiting on that drive from Schutt that does enough to trickle away to the rope behind point. Schutt is back on her very full length to end the over, Winfield playing and missing. Lucky not to hit off-stump. England’s deficit is now under 100. Small milestone, but not for nothing.

30th over: England 66-0 (Winfield 22, Beaumont 37)

Winfield sweeps another. A couple of sundries when Wellington gets through Beaumont off a length. More of that required. Looks up for this, the young leggie.

29th over: England 63-0 (Winfield 21, Beaumont 37)

Shooooter. Megan Schutt it is to replace Perry. But Beaumont is a fan of that, cutting to the gap she missed in the previous over, smashing into the advertising boards in front of the Doug Walters Hill. A real loosener that. “You cannot fault England so far today,” says Mel Jones on the radio now. “I’ve been really impressed by their running between wicket.” She maintains quite a wide line thereafter to the England opener, Beaumont very happy to watch into the gloves of Healy. Given how accurate Schutt is, I expect that’s intentional.

OBO regular Andrew Benton poses a question to me on the email (you can too, dont’t you know?): “What can the England men’s team learn from the England women’s team?”

One thing all teams can learn is that they are fiercely positive about improvement. Mark Robinson and Ali Maiden have fostered a brilliant culture under the captaincy of Heather Knight. With most of the centrally contracted players living in Loughborough, they also seem to legitimately like each other. Can’t hurt.

Any other thoughts on the cricket side? What are they doing that the England men could replicate this Ashes summer?

28th over: England 59-0 (Winfield 21, Beaumont 33)

So close! Wellington gets the topspinner to fizz at Winfield, but she gets the bat down just in time. Next up, with a fraction more time, she gets off strike turning into the gap at midwicket. It is a massive gap two, only short-leg between mid on and long leg on that side of the wicket. Beaumont misses out on a long hop later in the over, cutting it straight to point. Keeps the strike with a conventional sweep to end the set. A lot more going on from Wellington’s City end so far today, that’s for sure.



27th over: England 57-0 (Winfield 20, Beaumont 32)

A fifth for Perry now. Must be very close to spent. “Australia haven’t hit the right length,” says Lisa Sthalekar no TMS as Winfield pushes a full toss into the covers to move into the 20s. Perry back in the blockhole to finish, Beaumont digging it out with timing but wonderfully stopped by the bowler in her follow through. Fantastic cricket.

26th over: England 56-0 (Winfield 19, Beaumont 32)

Quickish single towards midwicket requiring Winfield to scamper, but she’s back. Beaumont takes another to midwicket It prompts a field change, Elyse Villani coming in under the lid at silly point. So there are three around the bat, alongside a short leg and slip. Nice bowling from Wellington, winning Beaumont’s edge with flight. But no gully in there. Looks the bowler more likely of the two currently in operation.

25th over: England 53-0 (Winfield 17, Beaumont 31)

Perry’s fourth over of the spell. She isn’t doing a lot wrong here at all, but Beaumont far too disciplined to do anything other than drive length deliveries into the ring along the ground. No risks here. Maiden.

24th over: England 53-0 (Winfield 17, Beaumont 31)

Winfield keeps it ticking over, flicking Wellington through midwicket for a couple early in the over. Not a lot going on out there at the moment. “You could play a timeless Test on this pitch and it wouldn’t start going along the ground until day 18,” quips Jim Maxwell on TMS. Correctly. “It is very hard to make something happen on a surface like this. You are relying on a mistake from the batsman. It would be lucky to bounce above bail height if you banged it in short.”



23rd over: England 51-0 (Winfield 15, Beaumont 31)

Perry again. Operating with a catching cover, Alex Blackwell, who has the helmet on despite standing about 15 metres from the bat. A bit like when Joe Root used to pop it on at shortish third slip. First proper slower one we’ve seen from the seamer today, dropping an off-cutter to Winfield. She gets down the other end with a push through cover, retaining the strike. That’ll work nicely.

I heard this exchange on TMS as well. To echo Daggers, let’s hope Charlotte has been misinformed. It would be a very bad decision to use this track again for the T20 on Friday.



22nd over: England 50-0 (Winfield 14, Beaumont 31)

Wellington might not get that much assistance from the final day pitch, but she sure is giving it a chance to turn by throwing it up well above the eyeline. Singles to each - Beaumont sweeping, Winfield driving - brings up England’s 50. The solid start they desparately needed.

21st over: England 48-0 (Winfield 13, Beaumont 30)

A second no-ball for Perry. Not overly potent as yet. Must be spent after her work yesterday. Winfield is picking out cover time and again, but hitting the ball well. Top scored in the opening ODI but hasn’t made a run since. But I’ll back her in here.

20th over: England 46-0 (Winfield 13, Beaumont 28)

Only one over from Jonassen, Amanda Wellington getting the third over of the morning. I mean, afternoon. “I think the rough marks are too wide for any great grip or purchase and they are not that deep,” says Charles Dagnall on the TMS call. Three singles to start her day, all to cover, Beaumont twice and Winfield once. Good start here from the visitors. No real zip out there yet.

19th over: England 43-0 (Winfield 12, Beaumont 27)

Perry to open up from the Moreton Fig Tree End. We’re very lucky with our press box position here at North Sydney, just to the right of that peaceful landmark. We also have a balcony, which feels a bit like Buckingham Palace. At least in my head. Perry delivers a massive no-ball second up, overstepping by at least three inches. After her heroics over the last few days, we’ll give her that. She blasted through England on the final day of the Ashes Test in 2015 in similar circumstances to this, claiming nine wickets in that match. Winfield up to the task.

A reminder what Perry did on the final day of the Ashes Test in 2015, running through England with 6-for-32 to bowl them out for 101.

With THAT Sarah Taylor dismissal...



18th over: England 41-0 (Winfield 12, Beaumont 26)

First ball earns a bit of an ooh and an ahh when Jonassen pushes through her quicker one, but Beaumont is down in time. She gets away with the second ball, paddling fine. Expect to see plenty of that from her today if she plays a long hand. Winfield forward in defence for the rest.

And we’re away! The Australians racing out ahead of the England openers, who are going at a more leisurely place. No hurry for them, or any of their colleagues, out there today. 100 overs. Count them down. Jonassen to bowl the first over. PLAY!

“What are you two talking about?”

“Football.” Team England bloody love having a kick. Any old time. In warm ups, at every interval, even after stumps a couple of them had the ball out last night. World Cup champions, support staff, they’re all into it. Good energy.

Before play today that extended to a pair who were intergral in winning the World Cup on this very ground in 2009, Charlotte Edwards and Isa Guha. During this Test they have been running between the TV and radio commentary boxes for the entire day - hard yakka, make no mistake. But had time to show off their other skills first.

Welcome to the fourth and final day of the Women's Ashes Test!

And a fourth glorious Sydney day to match. One where England will need to dig deep if they are to survive 100 overs and keep the series alive. They resume with 128 runs to find in order to get back in the black after Ellyse Perry completed an unbeaten double hundred that turned this match on its head. Ten brisk wickets today, and they will hold the Women’s Ashes aloft at this beautiful ground. No further incentive required.

The good news for England is that Tammy Beaumont and Lauren Winfield both reached the close last night, knocking off 40 of those runs without losing a wicket. If the theme of the match continues, it will be a lot easier to bat today than it was then. And the track doesn’t look like its about to start turning square any time soon either.

Adam Collins with you here at North Sydney Oval steering the OBO for the first half of the day before I slap hands with Vish when he wakes up in London. You know the drill, let’s talk throughout on the email or the tweet or anywhere else you can hunt me down.

England emerged from a lengthy huddle before breaking into warm-ups just before. Their task is a simple one: bat all day. Resilience, they say, underpinned their World Cup triumph in July. This presents another ideal opportunity to show what they’re made of.

Adam will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s a quick look at the state of play in this series:

One-day internationals (two points for a win)

  • 22 October, Brisbane - Australia won by two wickets 
  • 26 October, Coffs Harbour - Australia won by 75 runs (DLS method)
  • 29 October, Coffs Harbour - England won by 20 runs

Four-day Test match (four points for the win)

  • 9 November, North Sydney – match drawn, points shared

Twenty20 matches (two points for a win)

  • 17 November, North Sydney
  • 19 November, Canberra
  • 21 November, Canberra
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