Ashes to crashes for Australia

THE Ashes may be staying in Australia, but England’s resolve has kept alive its hopes of an eight-all points tie after it took out the second T20 match by 40 runs in Canberra.

More than 4000 people turned out at Manuka Oval but it was not the show they wanted as Jenny Gunn and Katherine Brunt took apart Australia.

The batting disintegrated after appearing to be on track for the target of 153.

A run-out by Gunn on Beth Mooney (17) when Australia was 0-45 was the first domino to fall.

Openers Mooney and Alyssa Healy had started kicking into gear, having hit four straight fours off Sophie Ecclestone and Anya Shrubsole, but next over the momentum shifted completely when Gunn sent Mooney back to the change rooms.

Gunn was responsible for Healy going, but it was Brunt who did the work on the rest of the top order.

Brunt sent one down to Australia No.3 Elyse Villani who missed the shot before the lightning-fast hands of Sarah Taylor had removed the bails. She was out for one.

The England quick then played a part in two of the next three wickets; Ellyse Perry played the ball on to her foot that went back on to her stumps, then Brunt caught Ashleigh Gardner in the deep to have Australia at 5-65.

Though talk had been of a batting wicket, Australia was not the benefactor, however, England returned scores of 30 (Danni Wyatt), 40 (Nat Sciver) and 32 (Brunt).

Australia’s Megan Schutt continued her scintillating form with a return of 2/16.

The win for England puts the points for the series at 8-6 in Australia’s favour with the final T20 to be played tomorrow night at Manuka.