Women's Ashes: Proud Charlotte Edwards has to settle for a drawn Ashes Test
Australia 331-6 dec & 231-5 dec England 314 & 93-2 (Match drawn)
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Your support makes all the difference.England and Australia had to settle for a draw at the end of the fourth and final day of their one-off Ashes Test at Wormsley.
Set a target of 249 to win from 45 overs, England never got going on a placid surface and, with the scoreboard reading 93 for 2, hands were shaken at 5.17pm with Sarah Taylor and Charlotte Edwards at the crease.
England captain Edwards said: "We came in today believing we could still win the game and I think that showed in our first session. We believed we could get early wickets and put some pressure on them but I think a draw is a fair result. Both teams really wanted those six points and there was huge incentive to get them.
"Our bowlers have been outstanding throughout this Test match and restricted Australia well. I've been really impressed with our opening attack and Heather [Knight] played a brilliant first innings to get us back in the game. I'm really proud of the team and think the series is set up nicely heading into the first ODI at Lord's."
Australia did their bit to force a result on the final day, with captain Jodie Fields hitting 78 not out from 122 deliveries on their way to an afternoon declaration at 231 for 5, with Erin Osborne unbeaten on 28. The result gives the teams two points apiece in the multi-format series, which also comprises three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches.
Knight's fine first-innings 157 earned her the player of the match award, but she was run out – for the second time in the match – early in England's second innings by a direct hit from Ellyse Perry at square leg.
Fellow opener Arran Brindle reached 20 before offering a return catch to Sarah Elliott, but there were no further breakthroughs for Australia as Taylor and Edwards eased to 38 and 23 respectively.
The first one-day international at Lord's, when the sides next meet, takes place on Tuesday.
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