Women's Test Match, Worcester (day three, stumps):
England 268 v Australia 309 & 128-1
Match scorecard
 Morgan's knock provided the backbone to England's innings |
A marathon innings from Beth Morgan boosted England women's hopes of retaining the Ashes as they recovered from their overnight 116-5 to post 268. Morgan faced 262 deliveries in nearly six hours on day three, to compile her 58 as England avoided the follow on. Laura Marsh and Holly Colvin's last- wicket stand of 59 took England within 41 of Australia's first innings score. The tourists, who need to win the one-off Test, are 128-1 in their second innings going into the final day. That gives them a healthy lead of 169 but a draw looks the most likely outcome, which would be enough for England to retain the Ashes. Jenny Gunn was the only wicket to fall in a slow morning session, Jodie Fields taking a tumbling catch from a leg-side tickle. The obdurate Morgan plodded on though and proved the perfect foil to Katherine Brunt's lusty blows. Brunt was eventually bowled after lunch when on 27 and when Nicky Shaw, who had chipped in with 13, had her stumps split by Rachael Haynes, England were 209-8. That became 209-9 as Morgan's resistance was finally broken by Lisa Sthalekar's off-spin - a rare loose drive allowing the ball to sneak between bat and pad.  | 606: DEBATE |
But Marsh, who hit five boundaries in her 38, and Colvin's late flurry took England close before the former was bowled by Sarah Andrews. Needing to score quickly, Australia openers Shelley Nitschke and Blackwell put on 49 for the opening wicket before Marsh trapped Nitschke leg before. Blackwell passed her half century just before the close with Australia scoring at three runs an over.
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