AUS W vs ENG W: Aussies took the lead in series by 2-0

AUS W vs ENG W: Alana King’s magical spell led Australia to take over the series against England Women in Junction Oval, Melbourne.

Australia secured the first four points of the 2025 Women’s Ashes with a 21-run victory in the second ODI at the Junction Oval in Melbourne. Alana King spearheaded the victory with her exceptional bowling performance, while Ellyse Perry contributed a crucial 60 runs to the total.

England won the toss and decided to field first. Australian openers Phoebe Litchfield and Alyssa Healy provided a decent start for their team. Phoebe scored 29 off 50 balls, while Alyssa struck a rapid 29 off 19 deliveries. Both were dismissed by Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell.

Following the dismissals of both openers, Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney stepped up to steer the team forward in the match. However, Mooney fell into Sophie Ecclestone’s trap and was forced to depart from the crease after adding 12 off 17 balls.

Annabel Sutherland joined Ellyse Perry in an attempt to build a big total, but Alice Capsey removed her for 11 off 9 balls.

On one side, England’s bowling attack asserted their dominance, with no batter managing to stay at the crease for long. On the other hand, Ellyse Perry remained steadfast, battling alone to anchor her team’s innings like an alone warrior. Apart from the openers and Ellyse Perry, no other batter managed to score more than 13 runs.

Ellyse Perry played a composed and impressive knock of 60 off 74 balls, helping Australia set a target of 181.

Sophie Ecclestone (4-35) and Alice Capsey (3-22) delivered brilliant spells, restricting Australia to a total of 180.

In reply to the chase of 181, Australia made an early breakthrough as Kim Garth dismissed Tamsin Beaumont for just 3 runs off 4 balls. Maia Bouchier contributed 17, Captain Heather Knight made 18, while Danni Wyatt-Hodge was dismissed for a duck. Australia’s bowling masterclass put England in a precarious position.

After losing four early wickets, Nat Sciver-Brunt, alongside wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones, steadied the innings and kept England’s hopes of victory alive. The match seemed to be shifting in England’s favor, but then Alana King struck, dismissing Nat Sciver-Brunt for 35 off 57 balls, swinging the momentum back in Australia’s direction.

After losing their fifth wicket, England collapsed quickly, finishing at 159 in 48.1 overs. Amy Jones remained not out, scoring 47* off 103 balls.

Alana King impressed with a brilliant display of leg-spin bowling, claiming 4 wickets for 25 runs. She received strong backing from Kim Garth, who took 3 wickets for 37 runs, while Ashleigh Gardner delivered an economical spell, taking 1 wicket for 23 runs.

Player of the Match: Alana King (AUS W).