The Ashes Test between Australia and England Women was a nail-biter that finished in a draw. The last day was super-competitive with both Australia and England having an opportunity to win the game.
As the match was paused due to rain on Day 3 at the Manuka Oval, some kids in the stands were seen playing cricket with a plastic bottle instead of a bat. The former Australia women’s cricketer turned commentator Melanie Jones, won hearts when she handed out a brand new Kookaburra bat to the youngsters. She even participated in the game with the girls. The video of Mel’s kind gesture has gone viral on social media.
Watch the video:
What a beautiful moment 😍 @meljones_33 gifting a brand new @KookaburraCkt bat to these kids using a bottle during the rain delay 👏
#WomensAshes pic.twitter.com/Esz5mO068a
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 29, 2022
Australia And England Settle For a Draw
Talking about the match, Australia declared their second innings at 216/7 to give England Women a target of 257 in 48 overs. The England batters accepted the challenge and came really close to the total. In the final two overs of the day, England needed 13 runs and Australia needed one wicket. All four outcomes were possible.
It ended up being one of the most dramatic drawn matches ever in Test cricket as Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone ensured that England does not lose the final wicket.
Here are some of the twitter reactions to the epic match:
What a finish that was. Absolutely great for test cricket 🏏 #Ashes
— Marnus Labuschagne (@marnus3cricket) January 30, 2022
Thrilling draw in women’s #Ashes Test. Sometimes a draw can be the best advertisement for the longest format. Great fightback by Eng in first innings thru Heather Knight, sporting declaration by Aus, spirited chase in the 4th innings and a result that does credit to both teams
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 30, 2022
There are days when no team deserves to lose. And that's why Draw is counted as a result in Test Cricket. Today was one such day. Well played both @AusWomenCricket and @englandcricket women 👏🏼 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/Yjzhe9t7q8
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 30, 2022
Well played Meg Lanning, Heather Knight and both teams. In just 10 sessions (not because of it), they've engineered an excellent, compelling Test. More of it, across five days. And also, crucially, time for multi-day domestic women's cricket. Let this be a springboard. #Ashes
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) January 30, 2022
We have now witnessed two close exciting Women's Test matches in the last seven months.. first, the drawn encounter #EngvInd at Bristol in June 2021 and now this #Ashes #AusvEng Test at Canberra.
Also the day-night Test #AusvInd at the Carrara Oval in Sep/Oct 2021.— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 30, 2022
Test cricket at it’s best 🤍
If this isn’t the advert that we should have more of it, I don’t know that is..#WAshes pic.twitter.com/kLAlcpZ3Rd
— Kate Cross (@katecross16) January 30, 2022
The match bolsters the case for future women’s Test matches to be played over five days instead of four, as it can help in obtaining more results in Women’s Tests thereby increasing the interest of spectators to watch these games. Earlier in June 2021, the thrilling one-off Test between India and England had also ended in a draw at Bristol.
Australia and England will now face off in a three-match ODI series starting from February 3.