The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
So, that's all we have from the coverage of this second T20I. The third and final game will be played at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground before the ODI series begins. Australia have a chance to retain the Ashes at Lord's. It's all to play for in that game, so make sure you join us then. For now, this is Pratyush Rohra, signing off on behalf of my partner, Pragadeesh. Goodnight!
Right then. The scoreline reads 6-2 in Australia's favor. They're still in a comfortable position to get the job done and retain the Ashes. England have it all to do, of course, having to win all the remaining games in this multi-format series. For now, they'll relish this win and hope that it gives them the confidence to move forward. If they can pull off another victory at Lord's, this series will be right back in the balance.
Heather Knight (England captain): What a game. Packed house at The Oval, it was special. I took a look around at the end and soaked it up. We got over that boogie of getting the win in this series. Really proud of the girls to get over the line. We've still got more in the tank and areas where we can get better. Danni (Wyatt) managed to get balls from outside leg through point. She doesn't get enough credit for her maturity and experience. It really came to fruition. She doesn't get the credit she deserves for being a really smart cricketer. Good striking by Sophie (Ecclestone) at the end. (Charlie) Dean can bowl at all stages of the innings. She did really well in the powerplay. We definitely think that is our strength. Really nice to see Nat back and able to contribute a little bit with the ball in hand. To win at only 80% is a very good effort but we've got to take it one game at a time. The equation is very simple in this series. Hopefully, we get another good crowd at Lord's for the next game. We've really felt the support and people on our side. We feel the difference. Any way they can put the pressure on the opposition, we'll take it.
Alyssa Healy (Australian captain): I'm not sure we were great in all three facets. They were better than us today. So, to get three runs shy was a good effort. We had to tighten things up. There were heaps of extras and we let ourselves down in the chase. We're allowed to lose games of cricket. We didn't execute as we would have liked and England came out swinging. The wicket was outstanding, a beautiful batting wicket. Our pacers did an amazing job. To have 20-odd thousand people watching is super special.
Danni Wyatt is Player of the Match. Here's what she has to say: Delighted with the win and to contribute to the side. It was a proper team effort in front of a massive crowd. Hopefully, we get another one at Lord's. The pitch was a bit tricky, probably got a bit better under the lights. We did really well to get 186. It's T20. You've just got to keep being brave. The outfield was rapid. Once it was through the infield, it was four. The crowds have been so good. They've really got behind us.
This is Australia's first loss while chasing in T20Is since losing to India in the opening game of the T20 World Cup in 2020. They did lose a super over to India in December last year, but that game went down in the books as a tie. This win puts into perspective what a side they are and what a huge win for England this is.
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) July 5, 2023
England won by 3 runs!
Danielle Wyatt - 76 (46) | Sarah Glenn - 2/27 Ellyse Perry - 51* (27) | Annabel Sutherland - 3/28
The Women's Ashes is still alive. England know they were up against it tonight and they've shown the kind of character their possess to respond with their backs against the wall. It was all setup by Danni Wyatt in the first innings with her magnificent half-century, with Sophie Ecclestone also contributing at the backend of the innings.
Ecclestone contributed with the ball too, as she always does. It wasn't before Australia threatened in their usual style though. Alyssa Healy hit the ground running in the run chase to set the tone but much like the first innings, Australia stumbled with a bit of a collapse once she was dismissed.
The England spinners kept chipping away with Glenn leading the way alongside Dean and Ecclestone. The spin trio held their own in the crucial phases to force a mini-collapse that put them in the driver's seat. Ellyse Perry fought valiantly until the very end but it was too little too late in the end for her side.
Australia looked down and out at one stage, so coming so close at the end is an obvious positive for them. England can take all the credit tonight though, battling it out in a must-win encounter to keep the Ashes alive. That's the beauty of the multi-format series and the shortest format. The unpredictability always adds a thrill. There's still a long way to go for the hosts, of course. But they'll take plenty of confidence from this game before heading to Lord's.
The captains will have a bit to say at the end of this contest. So, stick around for the post-match presentations.
20
overs
183/8score
1
W
1
2
6
6
runs
Ellyse Perry*
51(27)
Megan Schutt
1(1)
Sophie Ecclestone
2/36
19.6 Sophie Ecclestone to Ellyse Perry, SIX! Another huge strike but no one cares where the ball was sailing. The celebration starts as England win the nail-biter to stay alive in the Ashes. Tossed up delivery, Perry dances down the track and slogs it over long-on for a maximum