England Women Hold On To Retain The Ashes

England Women Hold On To Retain The Ashes

©Action Images / Andrew Couldridge

Australia Women 309 & 231 (Blackwell 68) drew with
England Women 268 & 106-3 (Edwards 53no)
Scorecard
Ashes Test, New Road, Worcester, day four: stumps

England Women's captain Charlotte Edwards scored an unbeaten half-century to shepherd her side to the draw they needed to retain the Ashes against the Australian Women at New Road in Worcester.

After bowling Australia out for 231 in their second innings, England were set 272 to win but a rain stoppage put an end to their aspirations of winning the match and thoughts turned to saving the game.

Caroline Atkins (0) had already departed, trapped in front by Sarah Andrews and Australia pushed hard to dismiss Lydia Greenway (23) and Claire Taylor (12) but Edwards and Beth Morgan held firm.

Edwards scored 53 in 96 deliveries while Morgan, who scored 58 in 262 balls in the first innings, showed similar application in making nine from 92 balls to ensure that there was no way back into the match for Australia.

Alex Blackwell top scored with 68 for Australia before they lost their last nine first innings wickets for 101 runs, left-arm spinner Holly Colvin taking three for 59 and Laura Marsh two for 43.

England conceded a first innings lead with Jodie Fields (139) and Rachel Haynes (98) putting on a world record 229 for the sixth wicket before Morgan's resistance got England past the follow-on target.

England held the Ashes after wins in both 2005 and 2008.

© Cricket World 2009

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