England women beat Australia Women Youth XI

England's women have secured a first innings victory against Australia women's Youth XI by 71 runs at The Alan Border Oval, Brisbane, today.

In a two-day warm-up match before the first Women's Ashes Test match, which starts on Saturday 15th February, England posted 202 batting first and bowled out Australia Youth for 131. England had then reached 44-2 in the second innings, before Captain, Clare Connor, finished the game.

Newcomer, Lydia Greenway, scored the majority of England's runs reaching 88 on her full England debut. Lydia flew to Brisbane as a late call-up on Monday having performed well in the recent women's U19 tour to Australia, which saw England dominate the ACB's U19 state competition and win six games from six. Playing with confidence, Lydia admitted, "I had a good tour here with the U19s and I really enjoyed this match too. I felt very comfortable and it was good to play some shots. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to step up and face the Australia senior team".

But, fellow England U19 player, Laura Harper, secured the Player of the Match award, taking 5-30 from 19 overs to dispatch Australia Youth's middle order, who didn't ever threaten the England total.

England Captain, Clare Connor, said. "This was excellent preparation for the first Test match and it's always great to beat any Australia side in Australia. I'm sure the Australia senior team will be more competitive, but the experience has been good for some of our young players like Lydia and Laura who have an essence of the longer form of the game. It was a very disciplined performance which is what we'll need to repeat at The Gabba".

Harper was assisted in England's bowling attack by the experience of Clare Taylor, who returned figures of 1-12 from 12 overs, and is continuing to bowl with great economy on this tour. The highlight of England's performance was the fielding, with all but two of the Australia wickets falling to catches, and Sharon Millantra was run out with an exceptionally sharp return from Dawn Holden.

England have now won three matches in a row, beating India twice at the end of the World Series in Christchurch, New Zealand, to finish third in that competition.

The two Ashes Test Matches are at The Gabba, Brisbane from Saturday 15th - Tuesday 18th and The Bankstown Oval from 22nd-25th February.