Australia capped off their Women’s Ashes campaign with another dominant performance in the third ODI, leaving them undefeated in the multi-format series.
Set 164 for victory after a brilliant all-round display by their bowling attack, Australia cruised past the target with eight wickets in hand and 82 balls remaining, giving them a 12-4 lead on points and confirming their status as clear favourites for the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.
England were on the back foot from the start at Junction Oval, losing their first two wickets for just 17 runs.
Emma Lamb, who debut as opener in place of Lauren Winfield-Hill, lasted just two deliveries before she was clean bowled by a terrific Ellyse Perry ball, which angled in and then straightened to clip the top of off stump, while captain Heather Knight struggled to score before a Tahlia McGrath yorker shattered her stumps.
From there it was a grind for England as Tammy Beaumont (50 off 101 balls) and Nat Sciver (46 off 95 balls) set about rebuilding the innings.
But once Beaumont departed, trying to go after the legspin of Alana King but failing to clear the infield, and Sciver was trapped lbw by Megan Schutt England’s middle and lower order offered little resistance as Annabel Sutherland took 4 for 31 in nine overs to cap off a strong all-round series.
Alyssa Healy and Rachael Haynes gave Australia a strong start and, once they were both removed with the score at 74, the chase was completed by Meg Lanning (57 off 70) and Ellyse Perry (31 off 46) in the 37th over.
Two of the T20s were washed out and the sole Test finished in a thrilling draw but Australia’s domination of the remaining matches, particularly their clean sweep of the ODIs, bodes well for the World Cup where they will meet England again in their opening fixture.
Australia have ticked virtually every box over the summer.
The form of Ellyse Perry, who was left out of the T20 matches but returned for the rest of the series, with both bat and ball confirmed her status as arguably the game’s best allrounder, although McGrath - named Player of the Series - may soon take up that mantle and Annabel Sutherland has also impressed.
Alana King made her debut in all three formats during the series and the confidence with which Lanning turned to her leg spinner at key moments suggests she will start as the preferred option at the World Cup over Amanda-Jade Wellington.
England seemed to lose steam in the series and showed signs of fatigue in the final two matches after Australia had won the Ashes outright.
Both sides rested players with minor niggles for the final match and will depart for New Zealand tomorrow and begin a ten-day quarantine before starting their preparations for the World Cup.
