England Ashes warm-up ends in stalemate

England have drawn their three-day tour match in Blacktown against the Cricket Australia XI. The match was the tourists' only chance to adapt to the pink ball and day-night conditions before the historic Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes Test starting Thursday.

England opted to bat first and opener Lauren Winfield shone under lights for England with an impressive 82 that included 15 boundaries. Winfield and opening partner Tammy Beaumont put on 63 before Beaumont departed for 28.

Image Id: B23BA49D9C024F35AC9EF9D9BA34858F Image Caption: Winfield flicks one through leg-side during her innings // Getty

After the departure of Winfield in the 52nd over and Sarah Taylor not long after, England suffered a mini-collapse losing 3-0 in the next four overs. England were able to steady thanks to Laura Marsh and Anya Shrubsole before being bowled out for 231 with 30 overs left on the first day.

England made the most of the evening conditions and Katherine Brunt struck early for the tourists.She got both Sophie Molineux and Heather Graham out lbw in consecutive deliveries. Nicola Carey and Georgia Redmayne then put on 72 runs before both were trapped in front in successive overs.

Delissa Kimmince and Naomi Stalenberg played out the first day to take the CA XI to 4-82. The steadied Australia getting them to 140 for no wicket on the second afternoon with the tourists unable to find an early breakthrough.

Image Id: 730A8E80B4C64E009952041D67A2574E Image Caption: Brunt celebrates a wicket in Blacktown // Getty

Kimmince fell first for 19 but Stalenberg combined with Molly Strano and Sarah Aley to put on 104 runs and bring up her own century. Stalenberg’s inspirational stand came to an end when she was caught at cover by Nat Sciver off the bowling of Shrubsole leaving the home side on 8-256.

Brunt and Kate Cross quickly ripped through Australia’s tailenders with the home side finishing on 271 and with a lead of 41 runs. Brunt’s further two scalps made her the leading wicket-taker for the tourists, finishing the first innings with figures of 4-37.

Image Id: 3806C3E6E577427795BEDFD4EE6E4F43 Image Caption: Stalenberg adds a few more to the score // Getty

England openers Winfield and Beaumont survived the 15 minutes until the dinner break, but not for long after as Winfield was caught and bowled for seven. Beaumont and captain Heather Knight put on 50 before Beaumont was taken LBW by young leg-spinner Alana King.

Georgia Elwiss, pushing for an Ashes berth, was unable to make her case after being dismissed for eight before the end of play. Sciver and Knight pushed England into a 47-run lead by stumps on day two.

England took control on the third day, declaring at 7-305 thanks to 85 not out from wicketkeeper Taylor. Fran Wilson and Brunt also played a starring role in England’s second innings scoring 45 and 43 respectively to extend England’s lead to 265.

With 266 needed from 42 overs, Molineux and Redmayne looked steady early with an opening partnership of 35. Molineux fell first off the bowling of Cross, soon after her opening partner Redmayne was caught by Wilson.

Image Id: BDDDCF762B1E485B8CB5B9C049B7F877 Image Caption: CA XI celebrate another wicket // Getty

Heather Graham and Nicola Carey steadied the home side with a 75-run partnership before Knight brought herself into the attack and promptly took 3-11 in two overs.

Strano and Lauren Smith ran out of time to chase down the remaining 84 runs leaving the contest in a stalemate. 

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes

Australia lead England 4-2

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

Second ODI Australia won by 75 runs (DLS method)

Third ODI England won by 20 runs (DLS method)

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