Left Arm Around

Australia completed a 16-0 Ashes series win with a comprehensive innings and 122 run victory over England in a one-off Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The visitors valiantly fought back to take the last five wickets for only 9 runs to dismiss the Aussies for 440, with Sophie Ecclestone taking 5-143, but any hopes of an unlikely England fightback quickly went down in flames.

From a decent position at 79-1, Australia took the remaining nine wickets for only 69 runs as spinners Ashleigh Gardner and Alana King shared nine wickets.

King, 29, also tormented England with five in the first innings to finish with career-best figures of 9/98.

It would be fitting that she concluded the series with the final wicket of Lauren Filer, delivering a world-class performance reminiscent of the late great Victorian Shane Warne- a man who lit up this very ground on many occasions.

But despite the brilliance of their bowlers, a special mention should be given to the batters who set up the game.

Annabel Sutherland continued her incredible record with 163 to become the first woman to strike a Test ton at the MCG, before Beth Mooney hit 106 to record a maiden Test century.

The gap widens

In a series that almost promised to deliver fireworks and close contests after a dramatic 8-8 draw in 2023, these matches highlighted the reality that one team has evolved while the other has seemingly declined.

England had their moments, particularly after dismissing the hosts for 180 in the second ODI and going close in a rain-affected second T20I at Canberra, however the fact remains that they were unable to get over the line. They were unable to punish glaring mistakes.

While England’s first XI is pretty much nailed on across all formats, with very few backup players preparing to snatch a spot, Australia have a very different but nice problem.

If someone isn’t performing consistently or they suffer an injury, there’s someone equally as good willing to take the place and match the high standards.

Without the same healthy competition for places, it seems England are stuck in the dangerous cycle of picking players who are simply not good enough to play at the decent level.

Talk about inadequate fitness in the England camp from former spinner Alex Hartley has also generated huge controversy, with Hartley confirming that some players have given her the ‘cold shoulder’ after the comments.

What’s next?

Current captain Heather Knight spoke to the press post-match and said she would consider her future as skipper.

One name who would probably put herself forward as a replacement is all-rounder Nat Sciver Brunt- someone who definitely underperformed given the incredible numbers she has delivered against the old enemy before.

Australia will return to action with three T20I’s in New Zealand, starting on March 21.