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Women’s Ashes 2024/25, AUS-W vs ENG-W 2nd ODI Match Report, January 14, 2025

Australia 180 (Perry 60, Ecclestone 4-35, Capsey 3-22) beat 159 England (Jones 47*, King 4-25, Garth 3-37) by 21 runs

In front of a packed Shane Warne stand at the Junction Oval, Alana King produced an Ashes spell for the ages in the mould of her hero to inspire Australia to an extraordinary victory over England, defending 180 in a crazy finish that had to be seen to be believed and handed the hosts a four-point lead after two matches in the multi-format series.

Defending a meagre 181, the lowest ever defended in an Ashes ODI, King took 4 for 25 with some magical legspin bowling. She was well supported by Kim Garth who took 3 for 37 while Ash Gardner bowled a frugal spell of 10 overs taking 1 for 23.

As good as Australia’s bowlers were, England’s batters were enormous contributors to their own downfall with a mix of woeful decision-making and execution ensuring Australia could afford to drop four catches, have Annabel Sutherland withdrawn from the attack for two no-balls above waist high in the 48th over, and still win by 21 runs.

England’s meltdown was complete after Amy Jones forgot to run off the second free hit in the over, that had to be bowled by Tahlia McGrath, which left No.11 Lauren Bell exposed at the start of the 49th. She was bowled first ball to leave Jones stranded 47 not out.

England’s stunning collapse outshone Australia’s earlier in the day after the home side lost 8 for 49 to be bowled out for 180 with Alice Capsey taking a career-best 3 for 22 and Sophie Ecclestone claiming 4 for 35.

Ellyse Perry made a match-winning 60 but she was one of Capsey’s three victims as Australia slumped from 131 for 2 to be bowled out in 44.3 overs.

Capsey, had just five ODI wickets to her name prior to this match and previous best figures of 2 for 59. It was the first time Australia had been bowled out at the Junction Oval in nine completed ODIs there. The rarity of Australia’s stunning collapse was highlighted by the fact that their No.11 Darcie Brown scored her first ODI run, having previously batted just once in 22 matches dating back to her ODI debut in 2021.

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