The Ashes: Heather Knight hails series the 'best ever' in women's cricket history

July 17: This summer's Ashes has been the "best series ever in women's cricket history", says England captain Heather Knight. Australia retained the urn after their thrilling last-ball victory in the second one-day international at the Ageas Bowl.

England has not won the Ashes for a decade, but both sides have played their part in a captivating series that saw Australia surge ahead with a six-point lead in the multi-format contest before England's three consecutive white-ball wins drew them level.

On Sunday, England were set the challenge of breaking the record for their highest ODI run chase, which they recorded at Bristol four days earlier, as Australia set an imposing 282-7. Thanks to Nat Sciver-Brunt's unbeaten 111, England came within just three runs before succumbing to the world champions once more.

Sciver-Brunt may not have been able to hit the six required to win the game from the last ball, but the tense finish added even more drama to an enthralling series that has been an epic rollercoaster from day one.

England has already made history by winning the T20 leg of the multi-format series, inflicting a first series defeat on Australia since 2017 - and still have the opportunity for a white-ball double, showing the significance of the four points on offer in the Test match, which Australia won by 89 runs last month.

"We are still going to Taunton [for Tuesday's final ODI] with the aim of an ODI series win," Knight, 32, said, "We're obviously frustrated we haven't been able to keep this momentum and achieve the great escape, but I'm proud of the fight and the character we've shown."

Despite the result - it is Knight's fourth unsuccessful attempt to regain the Ashes as captain - there is still plenty of hope from England's perspective, from the sell-out crowds to their ability to go toe-to-toe with Australia after years of despair.

"It's all about learning, and a lot of young players will learn a lot of things from today which is only going to be a positive thing in the future," Knight added, "The crowds have been awesome, the way they've got on board with us has really given us that added impetus when we've really needed it."

Despite being far from their best, Australia still triumphed in the Test match, edged this thriller by three runs and even England's victories came from very narrow margins. And Healy says Australia is taking the positives from the fact they have still been able to retain the trophy despite below-par performances.

"We still haven't played our best cricket, which is a little bit scary," she said, "It's stressful, but we've been in similar positions before and got over the line, so we just trusted that."

(BBC)