England need some honest reflection as failed ‘Jon-Ball’ all but ends Ashes hopes Raf Nicholson in Tasmania

Category : NFL | Sub Category : Posted on 2025-01-19 06:05:26

England need some honest reflection as failed ‘Jon-Ball’ all but ends Ashes hopes

Raf Nicholson in Tasmania

only time I saw Meg Lanning cry was immediately after the 2017 World Cup semi-final. Australia had been unexpectedly gut-punched by Harmanpreet Kaur, sent packing from a tournament they were favourites to win. Lanning was trying to make sense of it all and was so upset you could hear her voice breaking.

What happened after that is well documented: Lanning went away determined never to experience defeat again. She built a ruthless dynasty that won the next four World Cups, Commonwealth Games gold and every Ashes series.

Fast forward seven years to October 2024 and Australia were once again knocked out in a World Cup semi-final, this time by South Africa. Their response has mirrored 2017: they have regrouped, pulled out dominant ODI series wins against India and New Zealand and are now 6-0 up in an Ashes series. In the past week, they have dug deep to defend 180, and were last seen in Hobart on Friday notching up more than 300 runs, after record performances from their No 6, Ash Gardner, and No 8, Georgia Wareham.