This is Somerset -- Three quick wickets from Kate Cross helped put England's women back on track in the only Test match of their Ashes tour of Australia – who had looked well on top at the start of day three. With the multi-format system, there are six points on offer for the winners of the only Test in the series, but the result of the match at the WACA remains in the air following Cross' evening cameo on her Test debut, with Australia on 57 for five and chasing 195 with one day to go. Resuming on 18 for three, England captain Charlotte Edwards had earlier led from the front with a top score of 56 before being trapped lbw by Australia's best bowler Perry. Meanwhile, an Aaron Finch century consigned the men to a six-wicket defeat in the first one-day international against Australia in Melbourne. On another forgettable day for England, which started with skipper Alastair Cook failing to survive the first over, Finch hit 121 from 128 balls as Australia cantered to a victory target of 270 with 4.2 overs to spare. The opener profited fully after Gary Ballance, who earlier hit 79 in England's 269 for seven, put down a simple chance when he was on eight to reach his second ODI ton. With David Warner he set up the chase with a 163-run opening stand – a record for Australia against England. Cook's side had their chances to sever their union far earlier, most notably Ballance when he got two hands to a catch he should have taken at mid-off to deny Chris Jordan a wicket his early probing just about deserved. A contentious moment then denied England the scalp of Warner, when he was on 22 en-route to 65. Taunton boy Jos Buttler - who has just joined Lancashire from Somerset - claimed a catch behind, which the opener initially accepted before the standing umpires called for a review. Television replays were not as unequivocal and TV official Kumar Dharmasena decided to call Warner back after he had already made most of his way to the boundary's edge. It was a moment to sum up England's flagging fortunes on this tour, which sees them still without a win since their arrival Down Under in late October. Cook had begun the day by failing to last the first over, edging behind the fourth ball from Clint McKay (three for 44), after he had already escaped a close lbw shout from the first delivery of the day. A laboured start followed to suggest England were still struck by their Ashes malaise. The tourists managed just 28 for two in the opening 10-over powerplay – during which Joe Root scratched away for three from 23 balls before incorrectly reviewing a McKay inswinger that hit his front pad. Buttler later heaved an unbeaten 34 from 24 balls – adding 40 from the last four overs alongside Bresnan – although the decision to drop him down the order to fulfil his 'finishing' duties became more questionable after Australia sustained their assault from the start.
Reported by This is 9 hours ago.
This is Somerset -- Three quick wickets from Kate Cross helped put England's women back on track in the only Test match of their Ashes tour of Australia – who had looked well on top at the start of day three. With the multi-format system, there are six points on offer for the winners of the only Test in the series, but the result of the match at the WACA remains in the air following Cross' evening cameo on her Test debut, with Australia on 57 for five and chasing 195 with one day to go. Resuming on 18 for three, England captain Charlotte Edwards had earlier led from the front with a top score of 56 before being trapped lbw by Australia's best bowler Perry. Meanwhile, an Aaron Finch century consigned the men to a six-wicket defeat in the first one-day international against Australia in Melbourne. On another forgettable day for England, which started with skipper Alastair Cook failing to survive the first over, Finch hit 121 from 128 balls as Australia cantered to a victory target of 270 with 4.2 overs to spare. The opener profited fully after Gary Ballance, who earlier hit 79 in England's 269 for seven, put down a simple chance when he was on eight to reach his second ODI ton. With David Warner he set up the chase with a 163-run opening stand – a record for Australia against England. Cook's side had their chances to sever their union far earlier, most notably Ballance when he got two hands to a catch he should have taken at mid-off to deny Chris Jordan a wicket his early probing just about deserved. A contentious moment then denied England the scalp of Warner, when he was on 22 en-route to 65. Taunton boy Jos Buttler - who has just joined Lancashire from Somerset - claimed a catch behind, which the opener initially accepted before the standing umpires called for a review. Television replays were not as unequivocal and TV official Kumar Dharmasena decided to call Warner back after he had already made most of his way to the boundary's edge. It was a moment to sum up England's flagging fortunes on this tour, which sees them still without a win since their arrival Down Under in late October. Cook had begun the day by failing to last the first over, edging behind the fourth ball from Clint McKay (three for 44), after he had already escaped a close lbw shout from the first delivery of the day. A laboured start followed to suggest England were still struck by their Ashes malaise. The tourists managed just 28 for two in the opening 10-over powerplay – during which Joe Root scratched away for three from 23 balls before incorrectly reviewing a McKay inswinger that hit his front pad. Buttler later heaved an unbeaten 34 from 24 balls – adding 40 from the last four overs alongside Bresnan – although the decision to drop him down the order to fulfil his 'finishing' duties became more questionable after Australia sustained their assault from the start.
Reported by This is 9 hours ago.