ENG Women vs AUS Women, 3rd ODI at Taunton, , Jul 18 2023 - Match Result

9:03pm Alyssa Healy is presented with the Women's Ashes as Australia now get on the podium behind the banner that says 'Series Drawn'! Yes, it is a drawn series. Yes, Australia have another Ashes to their name. But this was as competitive a series as any. England only missed out because of the defeat in the Test. Both the white-ball series were taken by England. We've had a fantastic few weeks of high-octane cricket which has now come to a close. The Women's Ashes has come to a close.

You can read all the post-match content on our series page here. But the Ashes as a whole is not all over. The men continue to battle it out with the fourth Test starting tomorrow. You can find all the content from the men's Ashes here.

For now, that's all we have from the action in Taunton. Hope you had fun throughout the Women's Ashes as much as we did in bringing it all to you. On behalf of our scorers Harshith and Venkat and my co-commentator Abhimanyu, this is Sudarshanan bidding you goodbye! Take care, and keep cricketing!

8:20pm England pose behind the board that says winners for the ODI series. They cheer about and it is quickly stalled as we move on to the whole Women's Ashes leg of the presentations.

Nat Sciver-Brunt, the England Player of the Women's Ashes: "The knee was a bit troubling. The Test match was an emotional time, so couldn't contribute to my team. Thankfully i got help in time and could help the team. I don't like to think about the bigger picture. I could do with a bit of reflection to just take notes. It is a special feeling to be here. Was a competitive series. It was good to draw the series, obviously not going home with the Ashes. Being able to win the T20 and ODI series cemented that belief. We are probably not at the top of where we want to be but have made big strides."

Ashleigh Gardner, the Australia Player of the Women's Ashes: "It's probably the consistency I was searching for. It is bittersweet to be standing here [after a loss] after retaining the Ashes. England were the better side throughout the series. Bring on the next Ashes! It sucks! Of course we came here to win the Ashes, retaining it is great. We were in positions to win but didn't show fight where we needed to. Plenty of things to work on. We need to find the fighting spirit which we lacked this series. We need to make sure that we are striding forward and taking the game on. We do a lot of training as cricketers, we have to know that we don't lose skills in one day. I trust what I do and know that what i do in that situation is good enough. You've got to understand you won't be on top in all facets and it is about being at peace with that. For me it is about putting the time in all that skills. Some people hit a lot of balls, I don't. Quality over quantity for me."

Alyssa Healy, Australia captain: "We know that we got it done, even though feels a bit dirty. But we got the result, so yippie! I have actually never been a believer in the gap. The gap's not necessarily been. It is no surprise to see the way England have played in this series. They are going to beat any side in the world. Sri Lanka are beating New Zealand, Bangladesh are beating India, lots of exciting things happening in the world. Being able to give the young players experience in big situations is going to be invaluable. In the Hundred, young players are getting exposed to playing in front of a lot of people, which is what back home. It's been a great opportunity and one i am humbled by. To come here and lead in an Ashes series is no feat. Grateful for the support."

8:13pm Time for the presentations.

Nat Sciver-Brunt, Player of the Match as well as Player of the ODI Series: "Tried to take it ball by ball today. Came in some pretty difficult conditions. They got pretty quick wickets which meant me and Heather needed to rebuild. [On beating Australia in a series for the first time since 2013] We can be proud of what we have achieved. Have inspired people, long may it continue. We've had a very good reception in Taunton. Just to have the atmosphere was special and it spurred us up. I am pretty tired, glad didn't have to bowl another spell. Will have a little time off."

Heather Knight, England captain: "Hugely pleased. We got two trophies against the World Champions which is special. The way the journey turned out is special, though not winning the Ashes is tough. Lot on the line and hugely impressed with the girls. Happy to be finishing with the draw. [On coming back from 0-6 down] I think the fact that we'd got so close and went toe to toe with Australia in the Test and the first T20I gave us a lot of belief. We felt we were close and had the team to compete with them. It was then about one game at the time. There are a lot of leaders in this group. Today was close to our best match. Players like Nat are at the top of their game, now it is about trying to get better, keep improving. The mentality is right, it is about executing better. We have got a lot of experience in the team. [On the points system] It's tricky. The same happened to us when we were in Australia. Not sure, but little bit harder to win them and not retain the Ashes. Maybe about right, but maybe can have an odd number of points for one of the series, not sure. The crowd has given us a lift when we needed. The amount of effort from the ECB, the way it has been marketed is the way to go. Thankful."

7:55pm A memorable win for England with the bells from the church nearby ringing all along. Knight and the England team-mates share a long, warm hug before dispersing. England have won both the white-ball series, alright. But as they exchange handshakes with the Australian players, they would well know what a missed chance this Women's Ashes was. The Ashes is still Australia's. But all the big picture analysis can wait. For now, it about this team. Knight's women. They have done what no team had done for the last ten years - beating Australia in, not one but two white-ball series.

Let's recap the action from Taunton today. Australia were chasing a mountain thanks to a fantastic century from Nat Sciver-Brunt. She struck her second ton on the trot and was well supported by captain Heather Knight and, not to forget, a blitz from Danni Wyatt. In reply, Australia were dented early but were in the chase thanks to Ellyse Perry. But the rain break - that saw their target revised to 269 in 44 overs - broke their momentum. From 113 for 3, Australia slid steadily to be bowled out for 199 and concede the series. Kate Cross finished with a three-for, including a classic nip-backer to dismiss Alyssa Healy, while Lauren Bell finished with a couple to her name. Sophie Ecclestone was once again as thrifty as she could be. Hang on for the presentations!

Harshit Goyal: "The crowds have been in good numbers" Yes, this Women's Ashes have witnessed record numbers

Shashi: "Please enlighten me. The points are tied. England won 2 of 3 series. How then did Australia win the Women's Ashes?" In a multi-format series, there are four points for grabs in a Test, two each for a white-ball game. Australia won the Test and a T20I and an ODI each while England won four white-ball games

Shoaib: "Aus certainly missed Mag Lanning. Captaincy does effect Healy's own form which made a big impact on this series's outcome"

Don Bradman: "Still retained the ashes, and it won't be the last time I say that this week."

Umer: "Competitive cricket throughout the series. great advertisement for the game. AUS won the ashes,, and ENG won the hearts"

Megan Schutt is the last batter in

James: "How is Jonassen, who averages 19, listed as a bowler whereas Alana King averages 6 and is listed as an allrounder?" Don't be tricked by their numbers in international cricket :) JJ opens/plays in the top order for Queensland/Brisbane Heat

What a slide this has been from Australia after that rain break! Here's Bell now from around the wicket

Here's Sudarshanan to take you through the rest of this chase!

Alana King

Charlie Dean returns

Jess Jonassen