The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars have hit back on day three of the women’s Ashes Test at Bankstown, thanks mainly to an inspired spell of fast bowling for Rene Farrell.
The bustling West Australian took four wickets in five balls, including a hat-trick, to help rip through the English batting line-up as she finished with figures of 5-23 from 17 overs. England were dismissed for 149 in 90.4 overs, giving them an overall lead of 197. At stumps the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars are 1-29, needing a further 169 to win back the Ashes on the final day tomorrow.
After England resumed on 0-9 this morning, it didn’t take long for Farrell to get into the action, picking up Caroline Atkins LBW in her first over of the day.
Two further wickets fell as England slipped to 3-35, however Charlotte Edwards (28) was joined by Jenny Gunn (30) and they looked to rebuild the innings.
Enter the wrecking ball, Farrell.
With her fifth ball of her 11th over, Farrell had Gunn caught at first slip by Jess Cameron, breaking the 57-run partnership.
After Sarah Coyte bowled the next over, Farrell was back and immediately struck snaring the key wicket of England captain Charlotte Edwards LBW. The very next ball she had Katherine Brunt out dragging the ball back onto her stumps and then completed the hat-trick with a jaffer, snaring Hazell LBW as the jubilant celebrations erupted.
At that stage, Farrell had figures for 5-15 from 12 overs and England were in deep trouble at 7-95. A late partnership between Isa Guha (26) and Holly Colvin (21) helped lift the England score up to 149 before two disastrous run-outs finished their second innings.
After play, Farrell said it was an unbelievable moment and something she would remember for ever.
“Winning the Twenty20 World Cup last year was a massive highlight but this sits up there very high on the list and I’ll remember it for a long time,” Farrell said.
“The girls asked me what I was thinking before the hat-trick and I just said what we had been saying all Test and that’s to take it one ball at a time.
“I wanted to bowl it nice and straight and make her play and I was lucky to get the LBW and it’s a great feeling now and to also finish with a five-for was nice.
“It was a very good day for us but there is still a long way to go in this Test match and it will be an even better feeling if we can chase these runs.
“I love celebrating any wicket for Australia and if we can pull this win off tomorrow we’ll be celebrating a great win,” she said.
Play continues tomorrow at Bankstown Oval from 10:30am, entry is free and the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars need another 169 runs with nine wickets in hand. Sarah Elliot and Shelley Nitschke are currently at the crease on 12 each.
Live scores on cricket.com.au and updates on Twitter via @_SouthernStars.
For a full scorecard, click here: http://livescores.cricket.com.au/scoreboard_2580_1.html
source: cricket australia
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