Press release -
England Women A tour of Australia: Tourists win first T20 report/Bryony Smith update
England Women A began their tour of Australia with a three-wicket victory over Australia Women A in their opening T20 at Hurstville Oval on Wednesday.
The tourists needed 10 runs off the final three overs and two economic overs from Tess Flintoff (four runs) and Heather Graham (three runs) set up a tense finish.
However, wicketkeeper-batter Bess Heath held her nerve, dispatching Sianna Ginger to seal victory.
Mahika Gaur impressed (2-10), bowling Tahlia Wilson lbw on the first ball of the match as the hosts fell to 4-43. Warwickshire’s Georgia Davis took two wickets including that of the dangerous Madeline Penner while Mady Villiers and Emma Jones took a wicket apiece.
A 49-run stand from Penna and Rhys McKenna steadied the Australia A innings before Flintoff and Ginger made 23 runs off the final two overs as the hosts finished on 117-6.
In reply, England A T20 captain Grace Scrivens (35) and Paige Scholfield (36) led their side to within touching distance of victory, before both were dismissed by Lauren Cheatle in consecutive overs.
Bess Heath (18 not out) calmly secured England Women A victory in the first match of the series.
The two sides will play two more T20s in Hurstville before heading to Cricket Central for three 50-over contests.
The series will finish with a four-day match at the same venue from April 12
England Women A: Grace Scrivens (captain), Seren Smale, Paige Scholfield, Freya Kemp, Bess Heath (wicketkeeper), Mady Villiers, Emma Jones, Issy Wong, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Mahika Gaur, Georgia Davis
Bryony Smith update
Batter Bryony Smith has been ruled out of England Women A's tour of Australia due to illness.
The Surrey captain, who was originally selected in the white-ball squads, did not travel with the core group and following medical investigations in the UK, a decision between ECB and Surrey medical teams was made for Smith to withdraw from the tour to continue her recovery ahead of the new domestic season.
No replacement will be named.
England Women A fixtures and results
T20 match schedule
Wednesday 26 March 2025: Australia Women A v England Women A 1st T20 (Hurstville Oval) - England Women A won by three wickets
Friday 28 March 2025: Australia Women A v England Women A 2nd T20 (Hurstville Oval, 1pm local time, 2am UK time)
Sunday 30 March 2025: Australia Women A v England Women A 3rd T20 (Hurstville Oval 1pm local time, 3am UK time)
50-over matches
Wednesday 2 April 2025: Australia Women A v England Women A 1st 50-over match (Cricket Central, 10.30am local time, 00.30am UK time)
Friday 4 April 2025: Australia Women A v England Women A 2nd 50-over match (Cricket Central, 10.30am local time, 00.30am UK time)
Monday 7 April 2025: Australia Women A v England Women A 3rd 50-over match (Cricket Central, 9.45am local time, 00.45am UK time)
Four-day match
Saturday 12 April-Tuesday 15 April 2025: Australia Women A v England Women A four-day match (Cricket Central, 9.30am local time, 00.30am UK time)
ENDS
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