Australia Women chased down 170 in 17 overs, courtesy of Tahlia McGrath’s *91 in the first T20I of the Women’s Ashes on Thursday.
After the men’s team suffered a humiliating 4-0 loss in the Ashes, England had more hopes from their women. And for the best part, it looked like they might have a win down under but Meg Lanning’s Australia was just too good in the end.
McGrath was the star for Australia with both bat and ball as the hosts defeated England by nine wickets in the first T20I at Adelaide Oval. She claimed three for 26 and blasted an unbeaten 91 off 49 in her ‘Player of the match’ performance.
Lanning won the toss and elected to bowl first. England openers Tammy Beaumont and Danny Wyatt came out the blocks quickly and hammered the undisciplined Aussie bowlers to all parts.
A fiery start from Tayla Vlaeminck 😲
— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 20, 2022
Thankfully Tammy Beaumont is back batting after this nasty bouncer! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/AUglAhdz4p
The duo posted 51 runs in the powerplay and added 80 runs for the first wicket before the debutant Alana King got the breakthrough.
Wyatt scored 70 off 54 and Nat Sciver added 32 off 23. England looked set to push for 180+ score, but McGrath cleaned up the duo in 17th over to put the breaks on. The visitors ended up with 169/4 in 20 overs, which was still a very good total.
In the absence of Beth Mooney, captain Lanning opened the innings with Alyssa Healy. However, the duo struggled to get going and Healy eventually fell to Sophie Ecclestone for seven off nine in the fourth over. It was McGrath who broke the shackles in the sixth over.
Another milestone for the skipper!
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) January 20, 2022
Meg Lanning becomes the third woman to score 3000 T20I runs ⭐👏 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/z8xgldylEE
The McMeg pair then pierced the gaps well and punished anything loose on offer as they hunted down the target in just 17 overs. McGrath belted 13 fours and a six in her knock while Lanning scored eight fours in her measured knock of 64 off 44.
McGrath has played three T20 internationals and has scores of 42*, 44* and the latest 91*. A true superstar that makes this nearly invincible Australian team even better.
The hosts claim two points and are leading the multi-format series by 2-0 points. England will have an opportunity to level the score when they meet in the second T20I at the same Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Brief scores
England Women: 169/4 in 20 overs (Wyatt 70, Sciver 32; McGrath 3/26)
Australia Women: 170/1 in 17 overs (McGrath 91*, Lanning 64*; Ecclestone 1/29) won by 9 wickets.
