Australia beat England in first ODI to retain Women's Ashes
Australia Women have beaten England Women in the first of the three-match ODI series. They successfully defended 205, bowling England out for 178. Earlier, Australia faced a batting collapse before Beth Mooney helped them post a challenging total. Australia Women retain the Ashes. They earlier won the 1st T20I, while the one-off Test ended in a draw. Here are the key records.
How did the match pan out?
Australia Women managed just 205/9 in 50 overs after England Women elected to field. Lanning scored 28 off 51 deliveries with the help of 4 fours. Star all-rounder Ellyse Perry recorded a golden duck. Beth Mooney was Australia's top scorer (73). England had a patchy start and were reduced to 103/6. Katherine Brunt and Kate Cross inspired hope but failed to get them home.
Meg Lanning becomes second-fastest to 4,000 runs in women's ODIs
Australian skipper Meg Lanning has become the second-fastest to complete 4,000 runs in women's ODIs. The 29-year-old raced to 4,000 runs in her 89th ODI innings. Former Australian cricketer Belinda Clark had reached this landmark in her 86th ODI innings. Besides, Lanning has become just the third Australian woman after Clark (4,844) and Karen Rolton (4,814) to do so in ODI cricket.
11th female cricketer to complete 4,000 ODI runs
Lanning is overall the 11th female cricketer to complete 4,000 runs in ODI cricket. The 29-year-old broke Rolton's record of achieving the same in 103 innings. New Zealand's Suzie Bates and West Indies' Stafanie Taylor achieved this feat in 105 and 107 innings, respectively.
Megan Schutt second-fastest to 100 ODI wickets
Australian fast bowler Megan Schutt has become the second-fastest to take 100 wickets in ODI cricket. She achieved the feat in her 66th ODI. Former Australian cricketer Cathryn Fitzpatrick did the same in 64 ODIs. Schutt is the fifth Australian woman to complete 100 ODI wickets after Fitzpatrick (180), Perry (152), Lisa Sthalekar (146), and Jess Jonassen (115).
A look at other notable performers
Mooney was adjudged the Player of the Match for her match-defining knock. She slammed 73 off 91 balls with the help of 8 fours and 1 six. It was her 10th half-century in One-Day Internationals. On the other hand, Natalie Sciver was the top scorer for England (45). Australia's Darcie Brown scalped four wickets, while Katherine Brunt and Kate Cross took three wickets apiece.
