England A beat Australia A in opening T20 of tour
First Women's T20, Hurstville Oval, SydneyAustralia A 117-6 (20 overs): Penna 27 (34); Gaur 2-10, Davis 2-16England A 119-7 (19.1 overs): Scholfield 36 (29), Scrivens 35 (38); Flintoff 2-16England A won by three wicketsScorecard
England A held their nerve to secure a three-wicket win over Australia A in the opening T20 in Syndey of their multi-format tour.Chasing 118 for victory, the tourists needed 10 runs off the last three overs but tight bowling from the hosts left England requiring three from the final over.However, Bess Heath hit a four off the first ball of the 20th over to seal the win.Captain Grace Scrivens made 35 off 38 balls and her stand of 63 with Paige Scholfield, who hit 36 off 29, put England on the way to victory before Heath's unbeaten 18 off 16 finished the job.Australia were limited to 117-6 off their 20 overs, with fast bowler Mahika Gaur taking a superb 2-10 and Georgia Davis claiming 2-16.
Although just the first of three T20s before three 50-over games and a four-day match, this is a promising victory for a young England side, especially given the turmoil around the senior XI.England are looking for a new coach and captain after Jon Lewis and Heather Knight were sacked following the humiliating 16-0 clean sweep by Australia in the Women's Ashes.This series also gives the younger England players a chance to stake their claim for places in the senior side under the new leadership.The 19-year-old Gaur, who is 6ft 4in and bowls left-arm pace, has shown glimpses of how dangerous her rare skills can be in 26 senior white-ball internationals so far.Here she bowled Tahlia Wilson with the first delivery of the game before dismissing the hosts' other opener Courtney Webb in conceding just 10 runs from four overs.Off-spinner Davis, who has made a single one-day international appearance, was also economical in going for 16 off her three overs as she removed Maddie Penna and Rhys McKenna.Fast bowler Issy Wong, attempting to reignite her England career after falling out of favour following a slump in form since 2023, finished with 0-30 off her four overs.England sides have struggled against Australia even in chasing relatively low targets, but Scrivens and the more experienced Scholfield largely calmed any nerves until they were both dismissed by Lauren Cheatle in consecutive overs.Despite three wickets then falling in quick succession and Wong being dismissed on the final ball of the 19th over, Heath did not panic.England have confirmed batter Bryony Smith, who did not travel with the core group, has been ruled out of the tour because of illness, but no replacement will be called up.The second T20 also takes place at the Hurstville Oval on Friday (02:00 GMT).
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