Knight, Brunt help England fightback on rain-hit Day 3

CANBERRA, Jan 29: England captain Heather Knight and senior pacer Katherine Brunt led England’s fightback before rain forced early stumps on day three of women’s Ashes Test at the Manuka Oval on Saturday.
At stumps, after Australia bowled out England for 297 with Heather remaining unbeaten at a career-best 168, Katherine took two early wickets to reduce Australia to 12/2 in 4.5 overs.
Resuming from 169/8 on day two, Heather and Sophie Ecclestone extended their ninth-wicket partnership to a century stand before the latter was trapped lbw by Tahlia McGrath for 34, after being dropped twice by Australia captain Meg Lanning.
Heather and No. 11 Kate Cross cracked a few boundaries till Kate pulled and the top-edge went to long leg, ending England’s innings at 297 and giving Ellyse Perry her third wicket of the innings.
With a slender lead of 40, Australia came out to bat but were rocked early by Katherine, who had taken 5/60 in the first innings. The 36-year-old took out wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy for a pair.
Just before rain disrupted action, Katherine had another wicket as Rachael Haynes lobbed a catch to Tammy Beaumont at forward short leg to take her match haul to seven wickets.
The washout due to rain means that the debate over extending women’s Test matches to five days, on par with men’s Test cricket action, will be discussed and debated again. (IANS)
Brief Scores
Australia 337/9 d &
12/2 (4.5 Ovs)
(Katherine Brunt 2/4)
England 297 (105.5 Ovs)(Heather Knight 168 *;
Ellyse Perry 3/57)