Nat Sciver ‘more sad than happy’ after England draw Test thriller with Australia

England vice-captain Nat Sciver admitted she felt “more sad than happy” after the one-off Women’s Ashes Test ended in a draw with Australia following a thrilling finale in Canberra.

After Australia, who would have retained the Ashes with victory, set England a target of 257 runs off 48 overs just before tea on the fourth and final day, the tourists subsequently looked on course for a famous win, needing 45 runs off 60 balls with seven wickets in hand.

The hosts then battled back and were favourites themselves having reduced England to 244 for nine in the 46th over, before Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone kept Australia at bay for the final 13 balls to snatch a dramatic draw.

The result gives both sides two points each and leaves Australia leading 6-4 heading into the concluding three one-day internationals.

Sciver, who contributed 58 off 62 balls, told a press conference: “Test-match cricket can be very emotionally draining and tiring, but then when it comes down to that and you’ve got a chance to win…

“Unfortunately I feel more sad than I do happy at the minute. We’ll be able to reflect on it and hopefully be able to take the positives from today, because we batted so well to get ourselves into that position.

“It felt like we were just going to get over the line but unfortunately we weren’t able to. But then obviously saving it became very important.”

We'll be able to reflect on it and hopefully be able to take the positives from today, because we batted so well to get ourselves into that position. - Nat Sciver

The all-rounder added: “At the start (of the innings) we talked about just playing and seeing where we get to at tea, being positive, being busy. Every day we’ve seen people get in and score very quickly on the