The final match of the Women’s Ashes ODI series 2024/25, featuring Australia Women vs England Women, took place at Bellerive Oval, Hobart, on January 17, 2025. With Australia Women having already secured the series with a commanding 2-0 lead, this game presented England an opportunity to reclaim some pride while offering Australia a chance to deliver an emphatic clean sweep. Ultimately, it was a showcase of the hosts’ brilliance, underscoring their dominance in women’s cricket.
Match Details: Australia Women vs England Women, 3rd ODI
- Date: January 17, 2025
- Venue: Bellerive Oval, Hobart, Australia
- Result: Australia Women won by 87 runs
- Series Result: 3-0
- Umpires: Eloise Sheridan and Phillip Gillespie (on-field), Claire Polosak (TV umpire), Lisa McCabe (reserve umpire)
- Match Referee: Kent Hannam
Australia’s Commanding Batting Display
Electing to bat first, Australia Women set the tone with an imposing total of 308/8 in their allotted 50 overs. Skipper and opener Alyssa Healy (15 off 28) started cautiously, while fellow opener Phoebe Litchfield (15 off 15) showed glimpses of aggression before falling early. However, it was Ashleigh Gardner who stole the spotlight with a stunning century, scoring 102 off 117 balls, including 11 boundaries and a six. Gardner’s knock was a masterclass in pacing an innings, holding the middle order together and accelerating when required.
Beth Mooney (50 off 64) partnered effectively with Gardner to rebuild after the early wickets, forming a critical stand in the middle overs. Late fireworks from Georgia Wareham (38* off 12, strike rate 316.66) provided the finishing touches, turning a good total into a daunting one. Alana King (9 off 8) also chipped in with valuable runs.
England’s bowlers struggled for consistency throughout the innings. Nat Sciver-Brunt (2/51) and Charlie Dean (2/53) were the pick of the bowlers, while Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone were expensive, conceding 72 and 76 runs respectively in their 10 overs.
England’s Chase Falters Under Pressure
Chasing a stiff target of 309, England’s innings never really took off. They were bundled out for 222 in 42.2 overs, falling 87 runs short. Opener Tammy Beaumont fought valiantly with a gritty 54 off 77 balls, anchoring the innings in the early stages. However, she lacked support from the top order as wickets fell at regular intervals. Maia Bouchier and Heather Knight were dismissed cheaply, leaving England at 29/2 in the 7th over.
Nat Sciver-Brunt, arguably England’s best performer with both bat and ball in this match, scored a composed 61 off 68 balls. Her dismissal, caught off Georgia Wareham’s bowling, marked the beginning of the end for England’s chase. Lower-order contributions from Danni Wyatt-Hodge (35 off 42) and Amy Jones (30 off 26) provided brief resistance but were insufficient against a disciplined Australian bowling attack.
Australia’s Bowling Masterclass
Australia’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance, led by Alana King, who claimed 4/46 in her 8.2 overs. Megan Schutt (3/57) was effective with the new ball, picking up crucial early wickets, while Ashleigh Gardner added to her brilliant all-round performance with 2/28. Georgia Wareham also chipped in with 2/27, including the vital wicket of Sciver-Brunt.
The Australian bowlers maintained consistent lines and lengths, forcing England’s batters into mistakes. They were backed by excellent fielding, ensuring that the pressure never eased on the visitors.
Key Moments and Turning Points
Ashleigh Gardner’s Century: Gardner’s knock held the innings together and provided the momentum Australia needed to post a challenging total.
Georgia Wareham’s Late Blitz: Her unbeaten 38 off just 12 balls, including 4 boundaries and 2 sixes, added the finishing touches to Australia’s innings.
Nat Sciver-Brunt’s Dismissal: The dismissal of England’s key player effectively ended their hopes of chasing down the target.
Alana King’s Spell: King’s four-wicket haul dismantled England’s middle and lower order, sealing the victory for Australia.
Series Summary and Player of the Match
With this win, Australia completed a dominant 3-0 clean sweep in the ODI leg of the Women’s Ashes, reaffirming their status as the best team in women’s cricket. Ashleigh Gardner was deservedly named Player of the Match for her all-round brilliance, scoring a century and taking two crucial wickets.
Stats at a Glance
Top Performers (Batting):
Ashleigh Gardner (AUS): 102 (117)
Nat Sciver-Brunt (ENG): 61 (68)
Tammy Beaumont (ENG): 54 (77)
Top Performers (Bowling):
Alana King (AUS): 4/46
Megan Schutt (AUS): 3/57
Nat Sciver-Brunt (ENG): 2/51
Odds and Outlook
This series victory solidifies Australia Women’s dominance in international cricket. Their depth in batting, versatility in bowling, and strong leadership make them a force to be reckoned with in future tournaments. England, on the other hand, need to address key issues, including top-order stability and their death bowling.
Australia’s Strengths:
A deep batting lineup with players capable of playing multiple roles.
Versatile all-rounders like Gardner, who can change the game with both bat and ball.
A balanced bowling attack with a mix of pace and spin options.
England’s Challenges:
Inconsistencies in the top order, leading to collapses under pressure.
Lack of control in the middle and death overs while bowling.
Conclusion
The 3rd ODI was a fitting conclusion to a one-sided series, with Australia showcasing their class in every department. For England, it’s a wake-up call to address their shortcomings and rebuild for the future. The Women’s Ashes may have ended in an Australian whitewash, but the passion and intensity of the competition promise an exciting future for women’s cricket.
As the cricketing world looks ahead to upcoming tournaments, Australia’s dominance will undoubtedly make them the team to beat. For England, it’s time to regroup and rediscover the form that has made them a competitive side in the past. This series was a celebration of skill, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of women’s cricket.
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