Test Match Report : Day 4

Words and pictures by Ruth Conchie

England win, what more needs to be said.... The first half hour was torturous for England fans, whilst the locals counted off the runs, boundaries flowing with the wrong bowlers at the wrong ends, bringing 24 quick runs from the first three overs of the day, until Gunn then Shrubsole stemmed the flow and applied pressure.

England celebrate the prize wicket of Ellyse Perry

It took Shrubsole just over an over to strike, Gunn the catcher at square leg, and Perry was gone, and with it felt most of Australia’s chances. Elliott, the test specialist who had made a century in the previous test, remained and she was the last wicket to fall, starting to take her chances with only one wicket left to fall, bowled by Brunt off an inside edge from the first ball of the 22nd over of the day.


Tension rises as Rene Farrell's wicket falls

In between, Shrubsole got two more – the phone sized cracks in the pitch assisting the number of oohs and aahs - Osbourne with a leading edge to the sub Wyatt at cover (on for Brindle who jammed a finger in stopping a ball) and Farrell clean bowled, both for ducks. Gunn added to the key wicket of Fields the day before, by trapping Coyte leg in front, after a number of close calls were turned down.

Katherine Brunt winds up the match with a flourish!

The opposition vanished pretty quickly after the presentation and interviews, whilst many of the England girls took to the outfield in their socks for an impromptu game of cricket, where Brindle junior (age 4+) was the centre of every play and the number of appeals and screams would have any passer-by thinking the test match was still alive! England therefore take the full 6 points on offer from the multi-format series, therefore requiring only two wins to be guaranteed retention, but we know the Australians will come back hard, so the series is nicely poised.


The heat's forgotten as England gain 6 points in their defence of the Ashes

It's Low-5s and hugs as England celebrate with mascot, Harry

Further Test Report : Day 1 :  Day 2   :  Day 3