Lisa Sthalekar assesses the outstanding form of legspinner Alana King after her matchwinning display in Melbourne During January , it was in Hobart that England secured the win that retained the Ashes.
The following year, Australia got the trophy back and haven't relinquished it. This year, England return to Tasmania needing a victory to rescue this series. Otherwise, they will have a mountain to climb. Friday's game at Bellerive Oval these days called Ninja Stadium under its latest sponsor will be a huge test of the belief in the England team after a golden chance for a series-leveling victory eluded them in Melbourne amid a tentative batting display and some questionable tactics.
If Australia win and take the ODI series , it will put them up in the multi-format series and needing just two more points - a single T20I win or a draw in the Test - to retain the Ashes.
In a condensed schedule, England will have had less than 48 hours to digest what took place at Junction Oval as Alana King spun a web around the middle order after they had bowled Australia for under for just the third time batting first in an ODI since And if we're chasing, the same thing applies, we won't leave anything out there chasing that total.
Nat Sciver-Brunt was King's second wicket, getting a leading edge into the covers having reached 35 on a surprisingly spin-friendly surface. In the opening match at North Sydney Oval, she had been one of two quick wickets taken by Ash Gardner, both Sciver-Brunt and captain Heather Knight caught at deep midwicket. Obviously, the other day we were disappointed for a number of reasons.
