Disappointed Heather Knight hails Women’s Ashes 2023 as 'best in history'

Following a three-run defeat, England are officially out of the race to win back the urn after eight long years. Ahead of the second ODI, the team was confident of getting the job done and was very close to achieving their target, but the Aussies kept their nerve and bowled really well towards the fag end to retain the Ashes. Notably, batting first, the visiting team posted 282 runs on the board. Ellyse Perry (91) and Annabel Sutherland (50) were sensational with the bat while Georgia Wareham’s blistering knock of 37* runs off 14 deliveries changed the course of the game at the end of the first innings.

England, however, made a strong return in the second innings. Opener Tammy Beaumont once again managed to give England a brilliant start, while Nat Sciver-Brunt’s century brought the home team closer to the target but was not enough to cross the line. Talking about it after the game, England skipper Heather Knight stated that she is disappointed with the loss but eventually hailed the current contest as ‘the greatest women's series of all time’.

“This series has showed we're very evenly matched. It's just been an unbelievable series. Two brilliant teams, two titans going head-to-head and fighting it out. It's certainly entertaining, albeit very nerve-wracking to play in these close games. But I don't think there's too much between the sides, and obviously, for us, it's to try and prove that and win the ODI series at Taunton and level the series overall,” Knight was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

“It's got to be the best series that there's ever been in the history of the women's game. Two sides going toe-to-toe, fighting it out, and every game has been pretty close. Obviously (feeling) disappointment but real pride as well over the fact we got so close. Overall, we've put in another thriller of a performance, but the Ashes are gone which is disappointing,” she added.

Notably, the third and final ODI of the series will be played on July 18 at The Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton.