England pick fights off the field and let themselves down on it as Ashes hopes sink

An unedifying performance

Australians take to field on Monday. Photo: Phil Hillyard, SCG.

I left the fourth match of the women’s Ashes on Monday so underwhelmed I didn’t write anything. The other reason for my reluctance was that the only things to be said about the English side were sweepingly critical, and maybe that was unfair given how little we see of them.

Clearly, the Australians deserve praise for their efforts given the missing personnel. Beth Mooney (75 from 51) was magnificent, the cameo from fellow opener, Georgia Voll (21 from 11) was great, and Tahlia McGrath was strong (26 from 9). Leg spinners Alana King and Georgia Wareham took 5-39 between and flew the flag for the craft.

The team was a little scrappy in the first ODIs, but won by 4 wickets in Sydney, 21 runs in Melbourne and 86 runs in Hobart as their game came together and England’s remained moored in mediocrity.