Bad weather hit at the worst possible moment on day three of the Women's Ashes Test in Canberra, with Australia 2-12 and the hosts leading by 52 just before lunch in their second innings.
But instead of the Test shaping as one of the best in the women's game in years, it will almost certainly end in a day-four draw unless England pull off a miracle after no further play was available due to heavy rain.
The likely no-result will be a dour end to a Test that has swung regularly, with England at one stage battling to avoid a follow-on before fighting back into the match.
The tourists were 8-169 in reply to Australia's 9-337 declared, before Sophie Ecclestone joined captain Heather Knight in a 100-run stand to help England to 297.
Knight herself finished unbeaten on 168, the second highest score by a female in a Test in Australia and making her the only woman in Ashes history to have two innings of 150-plus.
England veteran Katherine Brunt then ensured Alyssa Healy would finish the match with a pair and also claimed Rachael Haynes for four to leave the match in the balance.
But Canberra's wet weather — and ICC playing conditions that limit matches to four days — means the fightback will likely mean very little.
England would need to whitewash the ensuing three one-dayers to claim back the trophy, with just one win for Australia enough to retain the Ashes as current holders.
A Test win for England, however, would give them the lead in the multi-format series 6-4, with two points available in each of the 50-over contests.
Look back at how the action unfolded.
Live updates
By Dean Bilton
By Dean Bilton
Play has been abandoned
So that's that for today then, what a shame. But we all knew this was coming, the forecast has been telling us Saturday was in trouble all week.
The good news is the forecast for tomorrow is much better, and thanks to an early start (9.30am AEDT) we are hoping to get 109 overs in. Will that be enough for us to get a result? We'll have to wait and see.
What we do know is that England have given themselves a real chance here, with Australia two wickets down and only leading by 52. If things get moving quickly, we could have a tasty run chase on our hands tomorrow afternoon.
So on that positive note, I shall leave you. But be sure to come back tomorrow morning, because I have a feeling we could be in for a hell of a finale.
By Dean Bilton
Update
Still raining. Not loving our chances for any further play today.
By Dean Bilton
Hi while we have a rain delay, just wondering if Alana King has a Wrong'un? She certainly had plenty of opportunities to let a few rip in Eng's 1st innings, but I didn't see one.
-NeilA
I believe it's something she's been working on for a while, but you're right in saying that there weren't any on show in the first innings of this Test. But she does have a tidy slider, and uses her flight and pace to produce enough variation to be a handful.
By Dean Bilton
Somewhat of an update
So the umpires took an early tea a short time ago, and are (very optimistically) hoping to be playing again in half an hour, at 3pm AEDT.
The radar suggests that is unlikely.
By Dean Bilton
Ok, I'll bite...
5 days, what debate? Obviously yes.
-Jed
Yeah, to be honest I am not sure who is actually on the other side of the debate at this point. If we end up with two Tests this summer, both turned into draws by rain then everyone involved has the right to be frustrated.
By Dean Bilton
Radars looking grim skipper.
-Chris
This is not the report we were hoping for. But yeah, we might be in for the long haul on this here rain delay.
Let the five day Test/reserve day debate recommence!
By Dean Bilton
Delayed start to the second session
As you may be able to tell, there is no cricket currently being played. Rain forced us off early and is keeping us from coming back on too. Once I have an update on the state of play it shall be shared here.
By Dean Bilton
Ash Gardner has won the Belinda Clark Award
The gun all-rounder is named Australia's best female cricketer of 2021, her deeds with both and ball seeing her clear of Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney.
Full list of women's award winners:
- Belinda Clark Award: Ash Gardner
- T20I Player of the Year: Beth Mooney
- ODI Player of the Year: Alyssa Healy
By Dean Bilton
Mitchell Starc has won the Allan Border Medal
Some breaking news for the lunch break! The big quick has won the award for the first time, recognised for an excellent 2021.
Full list of men's award winners:
- Allan Border Medal: Mitchell Starc
- T20I Player of the Year: Mitchell Marsh
- Test Player of the Year: Travis Head
Women's awards will be announced shortly.
By Dean Bilton
The rain has arrived! That'll be lunch, Australia 2-12 leading by 52
Ellyse Perry will not be complaining. What a sensational 20 minutes of cricket for England though, capping off what has been a very good morning for the visitors. Australia might well be hoping for the rain to stick around for a bit now, because all the momentum is with England now.
Heather Knight's batting and Katherine Brunt's bowling have pulled Australia back this morning, but unfortunately the weather is going to slow things down. Let's hope it's a quick burst, and with lunch being taken now we might not lose much, if any, time.
By Dean Bilton
5th over still - Brunt has two to come
Ellyse Perry to the crease. Big opportunity for England right here, right now.
By Dean Bilton
OUT! HAYNES IS OUT! BRILLIANTLY CAUGHT AT SHORT LEG!
Huge moment, and what an outstanding catch by Tammy Beaumont! Haynes got a feather on that one onto her pad, and it shot quickly to short leg. Beaumont moved swiftly to her left, and after an extended appeal the finger went up. Haynes was swiftly on her way, no hint of a review, and Australia is in a dicey spot now!
By Dean Bilton
5th over - Brunt to crack in again
She swings that one into Haynes's pad, and she takes the leg bye.
Inside edge from the driving Mooney, but it's out into the outfield for a single.
By Dean Bilton
4th over - Shrubsole to Mooney now
Big outswingers to the left hander. Mooney just has to get through these next 10 minutes.
Mooney is playing her shots though. She's getting some half volleys but is picking out fielders with her drives.
SHOT! Glorious. Perfect on drive that beats the fielder and screams away for four. No backward step from Beth Mooney.
Over bowled. Time for two more.
By Dean Bilton
3rd over - Here's Brunt again
MASSIVE LBW SHOUT! Ooh it looks good... must have been an inside edge! Not out and no review called for.
Yep, a tiny bit of bat on it that has saved Haynes.
Nicely played there by Haynes off the back foot through the covers. They get back for two.
Brunt is bowling a little shorter to Haynes, trying to jag the odd one across her from back of a length.
She pitches up to finish though, another good over ends.
By Dean Bilton
2nd over - Anya Shrubsole to get it swinging again
Haynes takes a single from the first ball. She watched the early carnage from that end in the first innings too.
Mooney is away! Driven through the covers for a couple to get off the mark.
The away swing is being watched well by Mooney. She looks happy to leave anything that's wide of her off stump.
Over bowled.
