Australia won a last-ball ODI thriller to retain the Ashes

Alana King delivered a leg-spinner to rival any of the best ever balls as Australia ended a run of losses to retain the Ashes.

Alyssa Healy and Alana King of Australia celebrate after taking the wicket of Tammy Beaumont (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

Captain Alyssa Healy screamed with delight and praised her team’s “grit and determination” after a last-ball victory ensured Australia retained the Ashes the most dramatic fashion in the second last game of the series against England.

Veteran spinner Jess Jonassen held her nerve delivering the final ball of the second ODI at Southampton with England needing a four to force a super over by allowing just a single from century-maker Nat Sciver-Brunt to secure a three-run win and sparked celebrations for the tourists who had lost three straight games.

“We hung in there,” Healy said declaring her team had won without delivering their World Cup winning best at any stage in the multi-format series after taking an unassailable 8-6 points lead.

“Our girls showed grit and determination. We still haven’t played our best cricket. We came here to win the Ashes and we’ve done that, it’s exciting and congratulations to the group for getting it done.”

Australian spinner Alana King was named player of the match for her three wickets but it was 91 from Ellyse Perry and 50 from Annabel Sutherland who put on an 81-run partnership to lift their team out of trouble at 5-158 and helped them reach 7-282.

Ellyse Perry on her way to 91 (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

Some lusty late hitting from spinner Georgia Wareham, who swatted three sixes in making 37 runs off just 14 balls, also helped turn the tide.

“You talk about momentum, Wareham‘s innings allowed us to take a buzz. We were up and about and it was crucial at the back end,” Healy said before praising King’s job with the ball after being picked for the first time since the Test match victory at the start of the series.

“For King to come in and perform right away shows our depth,” she said.

“I have no doubt that anyone in the 15 can do the job. It was stressful in the end but I really enjoyed it. We pride ourselves to win key moments.”

King produced a piece of magic to bowl English start Tammy Beaumont on 60, the ball pitching outside leg and spinning back in to take the top of off as a highlight of the series.

“I haven‘t seen it, but people keep telling me it was a great ball,” King said.

“My dad keeps screaming out on the balcony that it was a ripper. No doubt I will have a look at it later.

☑️ Back into the playing XI
☑️ Back among the wickets

Alana King stars in a dramatic win! 🌟#Ashes | #CricketTwitterpic.twitter.com/PFQlkvKc0z

— Women’s CricZone (@WomensCricZone) July 16, 2023

“But I‘m just glad to be back in the squad and glad we got the win.”

She said there was a “big sense of relief” to win the Ashes after England won three matches in a row to level the series 6-6 before Australia fought back to win.

“Stoked that we won and retained the Ashes. All comes down to match-ups. I just need to ready when I can and be ready to take the opportunity when called upon,” she said.

“Gotta control the controllables, just got to be the best teammate around. Got to do the work behind the scenes.”

But King also said the job was not done with one game to go and Australia has the chance to seal the series win.

“As we said all along we came to win it,” she said.

“So we have one more game to win the Ashes here.”

ASHES SERIES RESULTS

Australia leads multi-format series 8-6

Test: Australia won by 89 runs

First T20: Australia won by four wickets

Second T20: England won by three runs

Third T20: England won by five wickets

First ODI: England won by two wickets

Second ODI: Australia won by three runs

Third ODI: July 18 at The County Ground, Taunton, 1pm (10pm AEST)

Originally published as Australia won a last-ball ODI thriller to retain the Ashes