England endured more Women’s Ashes disappointment as they were bowled out for 170 on day one of the day/night Test at the MCG by a dominant Australia side chasing an unprecedented whitewash. Heather Knight’s beleaguered side arrived at the MCG 12-0 down having lost all six limited-overs matches and found themselves back under pressure after being sent in to bat first. They lost both openers inside just eight overs and never regained their composure, with Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 51 the only real note of resistance.
Australia replied with a composed 56 for one by stumps, seemingly set fair to build a lead. Australia have taken charge at the MCG on day one #Ashes pic.twitter.
com/FGklpU0jdI — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 30, 2025 Alana King claimed four for 45 in a long and accomplished spell of leg-spin from the Shane Warne End, with two wickets apiece from Kim Garth and Darcie Brown.
Maia Bouchier was first to fall for two, continuing her desperate run of form by edging the fourth ball of the morning from Garth, and now has just 41 runs in six innings on tour. Beaumont was next to go for eight, lbw propping forward to Brown, as the hosts found some early joy with the pink ball. England needed a response from Knight and Sciver-Brunt, the captain and vice-captain coming together in the middle order, but their partnership had only just started to find its feet when Garth brought it to an end.
Knight had settled after a difficult start and had 25 when she was beaten on.
