The game of cricket between two teams is determined by the hard work and dedication of the players on the field, but often, it’s luck that ultimately influences the outcome. While one team celebrates victory, the other is left with a bitter memory. A similar scenario unfolded in the 2nd T20I of the 2025 Women’s Ashes between Australia and England, where rain proved to be a stroke of fortune for the Aussies and a source of disappointment for the English. For England, the loss was especially hard on skipper Heather Knight, whose frustration was evident as rain interrupted play during the final moments of the match.
A missed opportunity for England
The incident occurred as the match entered its climax after a brave resistance from the English batters got them close to the Australian total of 185 runs in 20 overs. The match was interrupted during England’s run earlier after rain poured in over Canberra’s Manuka Oval. After the first showers halted the total was revised to 175 runs according to the DLS method.
English skipper Knight and Sophia Dunkley had a crucial 4th wicket partnership and added some crucial runs on the board for the visitors. The England captain led from the front and played some emphatic shots in her 43-run knock against the home side. One such shot went for a boundary at the first ball of the last over in which England needed 18 runs.
However, the rain gods had some other plans. Just when it felt that England could score the required runs in the final 5 balls and save their chances in the Ashes, rain began to intensify. Australian skipper Tahila McGrath approached the umpires calling for the play to end as it was getting difficult to field in the wet outfield. The umpires after assessing the entire situation decided to end the match and give the series-deciding win to the Aussies.
Knight’s frustration knew no bounds, she shook her head in denial and threw her bat in the air which landed on to the pitch before leaving for the final time in Canberra. The victory felt close but in the end, rain deteriorated England’s chances in the match.
Also Read: Australia clinches the Women’s Ashes with a DLS win over England in 2nd T20I
Here’s the video
“It was just frustration at the situation, not the umpires, it was the right decision to take us off.”
Heather Knight admitted after the game that the right call was made #Ashes pic.twitter.com/H1JOecvkvk
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 23, 2025
Australia bags the Ashes once again
The Ashes campaign was nothing short of a nightmare for England women. The team suffered a 3-0 defeat in the ODI series and were beaten by Australia in the first 2 T20I encounters. England’s hope of winning the Ashes ended as the 3rd T20I and the one-off test is nothing but a formality now between the two nations. This is the 6th time that the Aussies will be bringing the Ashes home. England’s last series win in the prestigious bilateral contest was in 2013-14 when they won the Test match and one ODI and T20I each to clinch the Ashes.
Also WATCH: Sophie Ecclestone outfoxes Beth Mooney with her masterful bowling in the 2nd T20I
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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