England grit ensures draw in Sydney but time is right to further Test discussion

Don’t let the result fool you, there were winners aplenty as England held Australia in North Sydney.

Take Ellyse Perry’s double ton. Arguably Australia’s most inspirational current sports figure, the all-rounder racked up 213 not out after a three-wicket haul in the first innings.

The 27-year-old made England toil in the field for a large portion of Australia’s 166 overs and left captain Heather Knight scratching her head on more than one occasion.

As the visitors fought and sought a reply to the ominous total Perry was helping to create, the former Matilda elegantly glided her way to a huge score.

Take England‘s Lauren Winfield and Georgia Elweiss, too. The pair, alongside Tammy Beaumont and Knight helped the visitors forge their way to a draw, needing to see out four sessions.

They did so with consummate ease, while Winfield and Elweiss digging out knocks of 34 and 41. They faced 145 and 190 deliveries respectively.

All four batters proved that they had the required discipline to see their country through and avoid an all-but series-ending defeat.

And there were plenty of moments of exquisite brilliance too.

Perry’s caught and bowled to dismiss Sarah Taylor in the first innings was nothing short of sensational.

Wicketkeeper Taylor herself possibly bettered that when she snaffled an edge off Anya Shrubsole to dismiss Elyse Villani.

And debutant Amanda-Jade Wellington knocked over the imperious Beaumont with a delivery that wasn’t dissimilar to Shane Warne’s ball of the century.

In short, the pitch was littered with potential Test match winners.

Played in front of a North Sydney Oval crowd of 12,674 over four days, fans were treated to an intriguing battle.

Or at least they were until the final day of the match.

On a pitch which showed almost no sign of deterioration from start to finish, the flattest of tracks provided the setting for England’s Test draw.

Whether the players struggled to find the right balance or were over-burdened by the weight of a single Test, it was a frustrating finish to a great match-up.

But all 22 players proved they could engage at Test level, and the insipid end did not do the overall spectacle justice.

Both teams could quite viably have played another Test or two and produced an electric series.

The Women’s Ashes has been fairly balanced so far, with the hosts leading 6-4 after three ODIs and the sole Test.

But just imagine how good it would be if the series was not hinged on shorter-form cricket.

The players are well versed in 20 and 50-over cricket – heck, England are fresh off winning the Women’s World Cup – but now must be the right time to swing that focus into Tests – traditionally the most prestigious format.

Discussion will undoubtedly rage over the way forward from here, but both teams deserve better.

They caught the attention and imagination of the public, they proved their Test quality, and now they need to play more frequent Test cricket.