The Ashes 2021-22: Rachael Haynes and Meg Lanning miss maiden Test tons

Australian batter Rachael Haynes made 98 on debut in 2009. Twelve years later in what is set to be her last Test she fell just short of a maiden Test ton.

Both Meg Lanning, left, and Rachael Haynes fell within sight of their maiden Test tons Picture: Getty Images

For a couple of overs, with the Canberra morning sun shining brightly and wickets falling quickly, England looked as if they might be able to change the course of the summer and take the upper hand in a Test match, but the problem with these Australians is they don’t go away. The problem with the English is chances are wasted.

Brilliant, but ultimately frustrating, innings by Rachael Haynes and Meg Lanning added 169 for the fourth wicket and wrested the advantage back in Australia’s favour who were in trouble early at 2-4.

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The Australian pair will be annoyed they missed three figures at Manuka Oval, the England side that they seemingly missed that many chances.

Then, with the order of things reasserted, Ash Gardner and Tahlia McGrath both peeled off those innings that must, for the other side, feel like a get away car spraying you with gravel as it departs with the loot.

Gardner was eventually apprehended on 56 in what was an eventful and contentious over from Katherine Brunt.

Gardner played the first delivery back to the bowler who attempted to run out the Australian but the batter retreated into her crease, blocking the line to the stumps.

Blunt appealed for an obstruction but the No.7 had not deviated in making her ground and was ruled in. Gardner belted the next ball for a dismissive boundary but was then dismissed LBW the following ball.

McGrath, who belted 91no and took 3-26 against England in the first T20, was out last ball of the day for a 52 that sealed Australia’s escape.

Ash Gardner made a quickfire 50 to press home Australia’s advantage Picture: Getty Images

The home side were 7-327 and in a strong position at stumps. Lanning’s side has the running in the match which is scheduled for another three days – a minimum of 100 overs to be bowled a day – but there is bad weather approaching the nation’s capital.

If Australia win this match they will ensure they cannot lose the Ashes which have been theirs since 2015.

As happy as Lanning and Haynes will be with their scores there was a sense of disappointment for both who were within touching distance of their maiden Test centuries before falling.

Haynes said later that there probably won’t be too many more chances for her at Test level.

“To be honest, I think it probably will be my last Ashes Test,” she said. “I just really want to enjoy it for what it is, it’s a really special occasion, not just for me as a player, but for the whole team.”

Haynes was out for 86 from 180 balls after tea and well settled, but none of the first 179 deliveries reared and alarmed like the 180th which brought about her demise.

Test matches come occasionally for women and the chance to make a hundred is so much rarer than in the men’s game.

The 35-year-old flirted with three figures in the first of her six Test matches back in 2009 in the shadows of the famous Worcester cathedral.

Tahlia McGrath was dismissed from the final ball of the day for 52 Picture: Getty Images

On that occasion she was out, heartbreakingly, for 98. In the last Test against England at Taunton in 2019 she made 87 and on Thursday she seemed well set until Brunt found enough in the pitch to surprise Haynes into edging a short ball through to the keeper.

It was the second of two blows in a third session, which was all the more admirable for England given the visitors had watched their advantage slip away between the lunch and tea breaks.

Lanning was on 93 when she fell in the over before Haynes was removed.

The 29-year-old reached 50 off 97 deliveries and was gathering strength as she past her previously highest Test score of 57.

It is unfair to visit the failings of the men who went before them on the women’s team, but it’s hard not to see repeating patterns for the English.

First up, captain Heather Knight won the toss and asked the opposition to bat.

Two early wickets had Australia on the back foot at 2-4 and one more had them 3-43 and in trouble.

Rachael Haynes plays a cut shot during her innings of 86 Picture: Getty Images

Alyssa Healy (0), Beth Mooney (3) and Ellyse Perry (18) back on the bench before the first break was the sort of start England would have hoped for.

Enter Lanning and Haynes. Exit stage left England’s advantage.

Lanning was put down before scoring at second slip, dropped again on 14 and there was a suggestion she edged one behind on 37 but nobody appealed.

Haynes cut a ball straight to second slip after lunch but was also put down despite Nat Sciver getting both hands to the ball.

England’s toil was no reflection on the effort of the bowlers with Brunt (3-52) and Sciver (3-41) excelling.