In a heart-stopping encounter at the Junction Oval in Melbourne, Australia snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against England to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the multi-format 2025 Women’s Ashes series. The hosts defended a modest target of 181 runs, largely thanks to a spellbinding performance from leg-spinner Alana King, who grabbed 4 wickets.
England Let Golden Opportunity Slip
England had Australia on the ropes for much of the match. The visitors’ spinners, led by Sophie Ecclestone (4/35) and Alice Capsey (3/22), strangled the usually free-scoring Aussie batters. Only Ellyse Perry showed resistance with 30 runs as the hosts slumped to 180 all out.
In reply, England made a shaky start, losing both openers to Kim Garth. But a 57-run stand between skipper Heather Knight and vice-captain Nat Sciver-Brunt steadied the ship. At 98/3 in the 26th over, England looked to be cruising. That’s when King turned the game on its head.
King Spins a Web of Magic
The 28-year-old leg-spinner, in tandem with off-spinner Ash Gardner, applied a vice-like grip on the English middle order. King removed the dangerous Danni Wyatt-Hodge for a golden duck and then returned to break a 35-run stand between Amy Jones and Charlie Dean. Her 10 overs yielded just 1/25.
They say that the mark of a champion team is winning on a bad day. Australia’s women proved that thesis today.
– Geoff Lemon, The Guardian
Bizarre Tactics Cost England Dear
What followed was a masterclass in how not to chase a small total. Jones bizarrely turned down singles, leaving non-striker Lauren Bell exposed against King. Charlie Dean attempted an ill-advised scoop shot and holed out. In the end, Jones was stranded on 47* off 93 balls as England folded for 159 in the 49th over.
- England lost their last 7 wickets for just 61 runs
- They played out 206 dot balls in the chase
- Jones scored off only 22 of the 93 balls she faced
Australia Prove Their Class Yet Again
In contrast, Australia held their nerve even as the required rate climbed. Perry rotated the strike, the fielders attacked every ball, and King landed her leggies on a dime. It was a consummate team performance that once again underscored the gulf between the two sides.
With this win, Australia have taken a giant stride towards retaining the Women’s Ashes. For England, it’s back to the drawing board as they search for answers to the Aussie juggernaut. The multi-format series now moves to the solitary Test match at Trent Bridge from June 22-26.
| 2025 Women’s Ashes Schedule | Venue | Date |
| 1st ODI (Australia won by 27 runs) | Edgbaston | June 11 |
| 2nd ODI (Australia won by 21 runs) | Junction Oval | June 14 |
| 3rd ODI | Canterbury | June 18 |
| Only Test | Trent Bridge | June 22-26 |
| 1st T20I | Chester-le-Street | June 29 |
| 2nd T20I | Old Trafford | July 2 |
| 3rd T20I | Hove | July 5 |
