Connor dismayed by England performance
England women 103 and 101 Australia women 344 Australia win by an innings and 140 runs
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Clare Connor is an English teacher. So it will not come as a surprise that she has a fair grip of the language, borne out by her remarks when England went down to Australia by an innings and 140 runs an hour after lunch on the third day of their first Test here yesterday.
The England captain's dismay shone through as England were bowled out for 101 in 61 overs and she said: "We were outplayed. We have a young and inexperienced side, but I never thought it was going to be as bad as that. Now we have to pick ourselves up for the three one-day internationals." They start at Derby on Friday and will coincide with the arrival of John Harmer, the coach who groomed Australia into the side they are now and will be hoping to do the same with England. Until this series ends, with the second Test at Leeds on 6 July, his brief will be a watching one. But there is no need for him to rush for a return ticket just yet.
Australia are still a hardened and honest team – still the best in the world. In Cathryn Fitzpatrick, who added three second-innings wickets to her first-innings haul of five, they have the fastest and most dominating bowler in women's cricket. And as their older hands drop out, players like Michelle Goszko, who made an Australian record of 204 in her first Test innings, come in.
England newcomers like Kate Lowe and Arran Thompson still have not played enough cricket at the top level to match the Aussies. But as Harmer said: "Some of the England girls have a lot of talent. That's one of the reasons I took the job."
* Kent have signed the Australian Andrew Symonds as their overseas player until the end of the season, to fill the gap left by the injured South African Daryll Cullinan.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments