England squander big chance as Australia defend meagre total in Women’s Ashes ODI

Megan Schutt celebrates taking the final wicket of Lauren Bell as Australia secured victory in the second Women’s Ashes ODI at Junction Oval. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

So near and yet so far. England did all the hard yards in the second Women’s Ashes ODI in Melbourne on Tuesday, wiping Australia out for 180 after inducing one of their worst batting collapses – eight ­Australian wickets lost for 49 runs.

Then, despite wobbling to 125 for eight, England somehow managed to stagger to within 22 runs of their target, courtesy of a patient rearguard 47 not out from Amy Jones and the determination of England’s Nos 10 and 11. Lauren Filer and Lauren Bell survived 29 balls between them as Jones tried her level best to ensure that the required run-rate did not quite reach insurmountable levels, while also farming the strike.