Women's Ashes: Australia build large lead at Canterbury

 

Women's Ashes Test, Canterbury, day three

Australia 274-9 dec & 90-4: Jonassen 29 no, Brunt 2-28

England 168

Australia lead by 196 runs



England face a massive fight to win the Ashes Test after Australia built a large lead on a rain-hit third day at Canterbury.

The tourists added 90 to the 106-run advantage they had after bowling out the hosts for 168 on Wednesday.

England's Katherine Brunt dismissed Elyse Villiani and Meg Lanning for ducks before a four-hour rain delay.

Australia then fell to 51-4 but Jess Jonassen's 29 not out steered them to 90-4, 196 runs ahead, when another downpour ended play early.

Debutant Jonassen, who made 99 in the first innings, hit the first six of the match and three fours as she looked to take the game away from the hosts with only one day remaining.

England are trailing 4-2 in the multi-format Ashes series, with the winners of the Test earning four points.

If Charlotte Edwards's hosts do lose, they will need to win all three Twenty20 matches to retain the Ashes.

In the 30 minutes of play possible before rain curtailed the morning session, Brunt reduced Australia to 2-2 in a spell Test Match Special commentator Jim Maxwell described as "Botham-esque".

Having performed brilliantly in the first innings for little reward, Brunt gave England the perfect start on day three with Villani bowled on the fifth ball of the day. She then trapped captain Lanning lbw in the third over with a ball that swung back.

A fiery, aggressive fast bowler, Brunt was deployed to open from the Nackington End for the first time in the match.

"She is very strong, bowls as fast as anyone in the game and brings an energy to the game that is refreshing and enlivening for the team," added Maxwell.

"What I like is not just her bowling but also her belligerence that gave England's innings a little bit of a sting in the tail."

Brunt was in a hostile mood and all of the England players had plenty to say to their opponents - so much so that vice-captain Heather Knight lost her voice.

Just as England began to assert their authority, the skies blackened and moments after the players had gone off for the first time, lightning and stomach-churning claps of thunder surrounded Canterbury.

England's Katherine Brunt has taken four wickets, while Anya Shrubsole has five wickets in the match

As Jonassen again walked to the crease with her side in trouble, the 22-year-old produced further proof she is a future star of the Australian side.

Jonassen played fearlessly, twice coming down the pitch to Laura Marsh during her innings, hitting the spinner for a four and a six.

"You forget she is only 22 and every time I see her play in a tournament she impresses in another way," said former Australia batter Mel Jones.

"It's the beauty of sport; you go through different cycles and at the moment she is in scintillating form."

Rain brought an early end to the third day's play at Canterbury

Jonassen's eagerness to get bat on ball was in stark contrast to that of her partner Alex Blackwell, who was searching for runs.

The pair found themselves at the crease together after Anya Shrubsole had Ellyse Perry caught behind for 13 in the first over after play resumed. Nicole Bolton then lobbed a simple catch to Brunt at cover off Kate Cross after making 25.

Blackwell was reprieved by the TV umpire on nine, when a sharp catch at first slip by Knight was deemed to have been grounded, Jonassen's flare and exquisite timing ensured Australia remained in a commanding position.

Australia debutant Nicole Bolton was impressed with Brunt's bowling.

"It was really good to have Alex Blackwell and I to come together and try and get that feeling of 2 v 11 out there," she said.

"But that's some of the best bowling I've faced in my career and Brunt and Shrubsole are two world-class bowlers.

"We'll be looking to come out in the morning and continue batting, there won't be an overnight declaration."

Shaw Post​ hopes that the  England Women's Cricket Team​ manage to bowl Australia out for 120 so they only have 217 runs to chase to win. If the Australia Women Cricket Team​ manage to get a lead of over 225 tomorrow then they would have to be favourites to win the match.

If Australia win this match then they'll be going into Three T20's 8-2 up. This means that England would have to win all three of the T20's to retain the Ashes.