England women gave another thrilling performance to win the second Twenty20 of the series against Australia women at the MCG today.After a delayed start due to heavy rain, a reduced 16 over game got underway. Charlotte Edwards won the toss and elected to bowl on the slow wicket.
Some tight bowling from English spinners Danielle Hazell and Holly Colvin held Australia to 99 for three from their allotted overs.
After a couple of missed opportunities in the field, Jenny Gunn held a catch to dismiss Meg Lanning for 10.
Holly Colvin then dismissed Shelley Nitschke who holed out to Heather Knight before Gunn picked up the third wicket with the superb caught and bowled of Leah Polton in the 13th over.
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England lost an early wicket in reply when Laura Marsh fell to a diving catch in the covers by Alex Blackwell off Rene Farrell’s bowling.
Danielle Wyatt (18) then joined Edwards to strike consecutive boundaries off Ellyse Perry, as England cruised to 30 for one after four overs.
The pair added nine more runs before a double strike left England reeling. First Wyatt was bowled by Lisa Sthalekar before Edwards perished to the same bowler, who needed to dive to scoop up a leading edge.
England’s success again fell on the shoulders of the in-form Lydia Greenway (30 not out). After losing Susie Rowe, Greenway and Gunn (19) played valiantly as the run-rate began to escalate to eight an over.
But keeping a calm head, the pair gleaned 11 runs from Rachael Haynes’ solitary over to make it 13 needed from two overs.
Gunn then leg-glanced Farrell’s first ball of the penultimate over for three and further frantic running left England requiring three runs from the last over.
Gunn fell with one needed, which left Knight to see England to a five wicket win with two balls to spare. England now lead the five match series 2-0.
Player of the match Greenway said: “I just tried to keep calm and concentrate on what we had to do. It’s great to be in form and playing well and fantastic to win at such an impressive ground.
“We missed a few in the field today. All the girls have the skill, I think it must just have been nerves.
“It’s a massive statement to come out and back up Wednesday’s performance so we’ll be looking to carry this momentum forwards to Canberra.”
England Women v Australia Women, match schedule
Twenty20 Series
Sunday, 16 January, 3rd T20, Manuka Oval, Canberra, 12.05pm
Monday, 17 January, 4th T20, Manuka Oval, Canberra, 3.05pm
Tuesday, 18 January, 5th T20, Manuka Oval, Canberra, 3.05pm
Ashes Test
Saturday 22-Tuesday 25, January, Bankstown Oval, Sydney, 10.30am
Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
