Key places there for the taking
AUSTRALIAN cricket heavies are hoping the Test side’s batting collapse epidemic can light a fire under domestic runmakers to announce themselves as the next Peter Handscomb or Matt Renshaw.
Last year’s crisis in Hobart, which forced the axing of five Test players, put an almost unprecedented level of impetus on Sheffield Shield performances and head of team performance Pat Howard wants a similar cut- throat atmosphere in the lead- up to the Ashes.
Captain Steve Smith has on several occasions spoken about the urgency of Australia bringing an end to their penchant for extreme top- order capitulations once and for all.
Australia are desperately hunting for an anchor at No. 6 and a run- scoring wicketkeeper at No. 7 before the first Test at the Gabba starting on November 23 and Howard says selectors want to make it clear to all aspiring batsmen – the stakes could not be higher.
Handscomb and Renshaw both made big Shield hundreds when it mattered most last season and now selectors want the next real deal to stand up.
“It’s a really open race, much like it was between Hobart and Adelaide ( last year) and there’s pressure on the domestic competition to perform,” Howard said. A NO- nonsense approach from allrounder Ash Gardner has helped lift Australia to a final- over one- day international win in the women’s Ashes series opener in Brisbane.
Chasing 229 for victory over England at Allan Border Field yesterday, the 20- year- old provided the late hitting required to seal a two- wicket triumph. Gardner blasted 27 off 18 balls – including two sixes – after earlier taking 3- 47 with her off- spin.
The No. 8 joined vice- captain Alex Blackwell ( 67 not out) at the crease needing 48 runs in fewer balls.
Her innings got the Australians in the box seat before she departed with only nine runs required for the win.
Despite some nervous moments, Australia prevailed with five balls to spare. Gardner said her simple philosophy at the crease helped her shrug off any nerves.
“If it’s in my zone I do try to swing hard,” she said.
“Today they probably bowled it in my slot a few times and I was lucky enough to find the boundary.
“See the ball, hit the ball is what I do every time I go out to the crease.”
Blackwell made the most of a life on 35 – spinner Alex Hartley spilling a straightforward caught- and- bowled chance – to play the anchor role after some early stumbles in the chase.
“Ash, at the end, really took the pressure off by playing her natural game,” well said. “And I felt if I could bat until the end, we win the game.” A u s t r a l i a stumbled to 5- 150 in their pursuit, having done well to restrict England with the ball ear- Black- lier in the day.
Sent in by Australian captain Rachael Haynes, Tamsin Beaumont ( 24), Sarah Taylor ( 34) and Lauren Winfield ( 48) were all dismissed after promising starts to ruin any plans of pushing towards 300.
England skipper Heather Knight lamented those wasted opportunities, but pointed to Gardner’s late heroics as the difference.
“She batted very well, struck the ball very cleanly, came in and took the game away from us,” Knight said.
The win gives Australia two points in the multi- format Ashes series, with two more ODIs, a Test and three Twenty20 internationals remaining.
Test wins are worth four points, while two points are awarded for a Test draw and short- format victories.
The series now moves to Coffs Harbour for back- to- back ODIs on October 26 and 29.