England retain Ashes after draw

A day after the men secured a tense draw in Cardiff to stay level in the Ashes, England women retained their Ashes by drawing the one-off Test against Australia in Worcester. Their task was comparatively easier, though, for they had to survive less than two sessions and it rained after tea at New Road.

Australia began the final day on 128 for 1 in the second innings, with an overall lead of 169, and were in no danger of losing. However, in order to push for a win, they had to score briskly and give themselves enough time to bowl England out. In the end, however, they were dismissed for 231 in the second session.

Opener Alex Blackwell had remained unbeaten on 59 at the end of the third day but was caught and bowled by Katherine Brunt - her only wicket in the second innings - for 68 on the fourth morning. The rest of the top order got starts but failed to carry on and Karen Rolton's 31 was the second-highest score of the innings. England's bowlers kept pegging away and Holly Colvin took three lower-order wickets to help restrict Australia.

Chasing 273 to win, or needing to survive the rest of the day to draw the match, England were jolted by the loss of Caroline Atkins - lbw to Sarah Andrews - for a duck. However, a rain delay deprived Australia of valuable extra time and even though England stumbled to 39 for 3, Charlotte Edwards remained unbeaten on 53 to secure the draw.