Heather Knight’s unbeaten 127 frustrated Australia on Day 2 of the Ashes 2022/23 Test match in Canberra. As wickets tumbled around her, Knight batted for 247 balls for her second Test hundred, dragging England to 235/8 at stumps. They are still 102 runs behind after Australia declared their first innings at 337/9.
With rain predicted for remaining two days of the Test match, England have probably done enough to avoid a defeat and stay in the hunt of regaining the Ashes. They are currently trailing 2-4 in the multi-format series.
Sophie Ecclestone’s unbeaten 70-ball 27 was the next highest score for England. She and Knight added an unbroken 66 till the close of play after England were reduced 169/8. En route, they took England past the follow-on mark. None of their teammates managed to cross even 15.
For Australia, Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland took two wickets apiece, while Darcie Brown, Alana King, Jess Jonassen, and Ash Gardner had one each. Tahlia McGrath was the only bowler who remained wicketless.
Earlier, Australia added 10 runs to their overnight 327/7 before declaring. Annabel Sutherland (8) was the first to go, bowled by Katherine Brunt, who later dismissed Jonassen to complete a five-wicket haul (5-60).
Even if England manage to avoid a defeat in the Test match, they still need to win all three ODIs to reclaim the Ashes.
Brief scores: Australia 337/9 decl. (Meg Lanning 93; Katherine Brunt 5-60) lead England 235/8 (Heather Knight 127*; Ellyse Perry 2-35) by 102 runs.