McGrath headlines Australia A's thumping seven-wicket win

Australia A were clinical with both bat and ball defeating England Academy by seven wickets in the second one-day match at Haslegrave ground in Loughborough on Friday (July 5). Tahila McGrath and Sophie Molineux starred with both bat and ball to give the visitors a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Having elected to bat, England Academy began steadily. Lauren Winfield and Georgia Elwiss, their openers, shared a 32-run partnership for the first wicket, before Sammy-Jo Johnson removed the former for 17. After Winfield’s dismissal the home side lost wickets at regular intervals, finding themselves at 115 for 9 in 33 overs. A 55-run 10th wicket partnership between Charlie Dean (37) and Freya Davies (14 not out) took England Academy to a score of some respectability. England Academy were bowled out for 170 in 49 overs.

Sophie Molineux was the wrecker-in-chief for Australia A, picking up three wickets for 20 runs. She got handy support from Mailtlan Brown, the medium pacer, and Amanda Wellington, the leg-spinner, who took two wickets each. The pace trio of McGrath, Johnson and Belinda Vakarewa also chipped in with a wicket apiece.

With a relatively small target in their sights, Australia A got off to a rollicking start. Molineux and McGrath put on 62 for the first wicket in 9.3 overs. Jenny Gunn, England’s old warhorse, broke the partnership, dismissing Molineux for 36 to give the home side some relief. Elyse Villani, fighting for a berth in Australia’s Ashes XI, walked in at no. 3, but was unable to make an impression. She limped to 13 off 35 balls before falling to Mady Villiers, who was the pick of the England Academy bowlers. Villiers grabbed another wicket of Racheal Trenaman for a duck to reduce Australia A to 110 for 3 in 23.4 overs.

That was the last wicket the visitor’s would lose as McGrath took control of the chase. The allrounder compiled an unbeaten 122-ball 91 and shared a 62-run stand with Erin Burns (30 not out) to give Australia A a thumping victory with 13 overs to spare.

The two teams will square-off in the third match on Monday (July 8) at the same venue.

Brief Score:

England Academy 170 all out (Dean 37, Bouchier 22, Molineux 3-20, Brown 2-13) lost to Australia A 174-3 (McGrath 91*, Molineux 36, Villiers 2-22, Gunn 1-23) by 7 wickets.