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Blackwell keeps eye on Ashes, not records

Australia's most capped ODI player, Alex Blackwell anchored the Southern Stars run chase for an opening win in the Ashes battle

Alex Blackwell was in a destructive mood on Sunday.

First she broke the record for the most women's one-day internationals played for Australia and then she broke the hearts of England with a patient, composed and match-winning unbeaten 67.

Blackwell's 142nd ODI for Australia surpassed the mark of 141 set by legend Karen Rolton, whose glittering 14-year career in the green and gold ended in 2009.

Blackwell will play her 250th match for Australia in the third ODI in Coffs Harbour on Sunday and yesterday's landmark was not lost on her, even though should couldn't quite remember it come game time.

"I was aware of that record but I'd totally forgotten it coming in to today and even after the win," Blackwell said after play at Allan Border Field.

"I guess that shows how focused I was on just doing my job for the team today.

"Any time you play cricket for Australia it's an absolute privilege and honour.

Match wrap: Aussies prevail in tense Ashes-opener

"I'm playing alongside some very talented players – as I've done throughout my whole career – legends of the game and it's nice to be part of that."

Blackwell needed every bit of experience and resilience from her 14 years at the top level to dig Australia out of trouble in the first Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes Series match in Brisbane.

Batting at No.6, the veteran walked to the crease with the hosts in strife at 4-87 in the 20th over.

Plucky Gardner's game-changing cameo

In concert with captain Rachael Haynes, Blackwell brought the match back to parity with a crucial 63-run stand, and when the skipper departed she combined with Tahlia McGrath for 31 and then the explosive allrounder Ashleigh Gardner for a further 39 to all but seal victory.

While wickets fell around her Blackwell stayed cool, calm and collected, unfazed by the life she was given on 35 – a dropped return catch by Alex Hartley – and the scoreboard pressure applied by the reigning world champions.

Image Id: 11718454894C4E839175F85A24946F0D Image Caption: England's Hartley puts down Blackwell on 35 // Getty

"One of my goals today was to try and own those last 10 overs, bat the entire 10 overs," she said.

"Obviously you've got to see what situation you're in at the time but I felt if I could bat to the end we win the game.

Deft touch 'annoyed' England: Blackwell

"It was hard at times to reel it in when I felt good to not get too enthusiastic and recognise the strength that's up the other end.

"Rachael and I had a great partnership to steady the ship and swing the game in our favour, but then Ash Gardner at the end really took the pressure off playing her natural game and I really encouraged her to do that."

At 34, Blackwell feels as though she's batting as good as ever, and after making some additions to her game under the tutelage of a specialist batting coach, there's no signs of the evergreen batter slowing down.

"I hope I'm still on an upwards trajectory in terms of my own performance," she said.

"I'd need to start thinking about stopping if I wasn't looking at improving all the time, trying to get the best out of myself as a cricketer, looking to work really hard with my batting coach Mark McInnes.

"We've changed a few things and he's really stretched me and challenged me to see more in myself in terms of my potential."

Blackwell's mid-pitch advice to gung-ho Gardner

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes

Australia lead England 2-0

Australia squad (ODI and Test): Rachael Haynes (C), Alex Blackwell (VC), Kristen Beams, Nicole Bolton, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa (Test only), Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.

England squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Laura Marsh, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor, Nat Sciver, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt.


Schedule



First ODI Australia won by two wickets

Brisbane Charity Partner: Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust

Second ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 26

Third ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 29

Coffs Junior Cricket Association Partners: Coffs Harbour District JCA, Nambucca Bellingen JCA, and Clarence River JCA

Day-Night Test North Sydney Oval, November 9-12

First T20 North Sydney Oval, November 17

North Sydney Charity Partner: McGrath Foundation

Second T20 Manuka Oval, November 19

Third T20 Manuka Oval, November 21

Canberra Charity Partner: Lord's Taverners ACT