An unbeaten century from Nat Sciver-Brunt couldn’t prevent Australia from retaining the Women’s Ashes, with England suffering a three-run defeat in the second ODI at the Ageas Bowl on Sunday.
England fell agonisingly short of pulling off a record run chase in Southampton, with Australia taking an unassailable 8-6 lead in the multi-format series to keep possession of the coveted trophy for a fifth consecutive time.
Sciver-Brunt smacked 111 not out from 99 balls in a dazzling performance, but the 30-year-old’s heroics weren’t enough to get England over the line – the hosts needed 15 runs from the final over for a historic victory, but only managed 11.
“It was a really, really good game of cricket,” Australian captain Alyssa Healy said in the post-match press conference.
“Both sides really hung in there and Nat Sciver-Brunt, yet again, played an incredible innings. I thought…