Women's Ashes 2023

[Durhamfootman]

I think Australia had a fair few mishaps in the field as well with loads of extras conceded. 17 wides! Good work from England women to at least apply a bit of pressure to the best team in the world. It'll have been a while since they've had to deal with any pressure, so it'll be a test for them. If nothing else, England have loads of experience of feeling the heat in ashes series, so it might stand them in good stead. Belief will be starting to build in the England camp as Australia keep passing up chances to snuff it out.

The moment Australia make a catastrophic blunder on a dead easy run out and then waste their last review moments before a plumb lbw isn't given, I'll know that England are going to romp home to a series win

[Durhamfootman]

Austrlia squeak home in the 2nd ODI to ensure they keep the ashes.

Wareham hit 26 runs off their final over and won by 3 runs in a tight one

fine margins

[bigfluffylemon]

Was always going to be a tough ask to win 3 ODIs against Australia. England will be gutted though, they definitely had the opportunity. Like the men, it has been a competitive series of close margins, as you say, DFM. Hopefully England can claim the draw on Tuesday.

[alfie]

Another cracking contest ! That wretched last over that Wareham destroyed the ultimate decider - though Nat SB so nearly brought it home.

Aussies hold the Ashes anyway but England will be keen to finish on a high on Tuesday. They have certainly closed the gap on Australia over this series - and considering they are still bedding in a new pace attack after the long term pair of KSB and Shrubsole's retirements I think they'll take a lot of heart from this. Couple of useful prospects in the wings too.

[andy]

Australia won the toss and chose to bowl

Aussies unchanged

Charlie dean in for Sarah Glenn for england

[GarlicJam]

Looks like it's coming down to another tight finish

[Durhamfootman]

not that tight, in the end. A very comfortable win for England

Australia keep the ashes, but ultimately England were just one crazy over away from winning the ashes back

It's certainly been a most competitive series, which is good to see.

[bigfluffylemon]

Great series, and huge achievement for England to inflict Australia's first ODI series defeat in 10 years. Prior to this I think Australia have lost two games in 6 years. When a draw feels like a victory. England celebrating more, even though Australia hold the urn. I don't think too many saw this result coming after England lost the first two games.

Nat Sciver-Brunt - player of the series and well deserved. What a 12 months she's having. Was going to say she's a shoo-in for 5 cricketers of the year, but she already won (in 2019). Ash Gardner probably deserves that accolade as well though.

Some talk on the commentary about the format - whether it's fair that the holder retains the urn, or whether there should somehow be an odd number of points up for grabs (some suggested 1 point per T20). I guess the format's never going to be perfect. Also reflects on the order of matches, as we previously discussed, but maybe the test loss galvanised England to an extent. I did wonder if maybe the away side should get the trophy in a drawn series, given touring is an inherent disadvantage - I guess quite often it wouldn't make much difference (wouldn't here). On the other hand, winning the urn back with a draw would probably feel unsatisfactory - there's something to be said for having to be outright winner in order to claim it.