Mooney guides Australia to 8-263 in Women’s Ashes ODI

Glenn Moore | July 13, 2023

Anchored by a textbook innings from Beth Mooney, Australia have set England a demanding 264 to win the first one-day international and prevent the tourists from retaining the Women’s Ashes.

Mooney, who moved down to No.4 in the order with Phoebe Litchfield coming in to open, made an unbeaten 81 off 99 balls as Australia scored 8-263 off their 50 overs in Bristol on Wednesday.

She was aided by the hosts’ sloppy fielding with England missing a string of chances, including dropping Mooney on 19 and missing a stumping chance on 39.

Ellyse Perry, who made 41 off 51 balls, was dropped on six and 36 while Jess Jonassen (30 off 39) and Tahlia McGrath (24 off 36) were missed on 13 and seven respectively.

Captain Alyssa Healy backed the history of setting a target on a dry wicket at Bristol when she called correctly at the toss.

Litchfield replaced Grace Harris and made 34 from 36 balls, including four fours in an over. Ash Gardner also made 21 as a series of Australians couldn’t kick on after a decent start, with wickets falling on a regular basis.

After Healy, watched by husband Mitchell Starc, perished fourth ball leg before on review having already hit two fours, Litchfield and Perry added 61 in 69 balls before Litchfield was brilliantly caught one-handed by Sophie Ecclestone.

The only other partnership of note was for the seventh-wicket, 55 in 66 balls between Mooney and Jonassen. 

With three ODIs remaining in the series, one win would be enough for Australia to retain the Ashes, while two will ensure they are victorious in the series.