Australian women's cricket team in England in 2005 played on 31 July, Australia beat the Irish women's cricket team by 240 runs, Karen Rolton and Lisa Sthalekar both making centuries as Australia made 295 for 3, and Cecelia Joyce top-scored for Ireland with a paltry 18 - Shelley Nitschke taking four for 15 as Ireland collapsed to 55 all out in 26 overs. England got an excellent start to the first women's Test at Hove, where two debutants were to take centre stage; but the match petered out into a draw. In one of the highlights of the first day of play, Belinda Clark — arguably Australia's best
Australian cricket team in England in 2005 and mutual respect between the teams which characterised the series. England's two run victory is the narrowest result in Ashes cricket history (there have been two Tests won by a margin of only three runs). It is also the second-narrowest-run victory in all Test cricket history. (other narrow victories given here) With the series square after England's close win in the second match at Edgbaston in Birmingham, the stakes of the third Test at Old Trafford in Manchester had risen significantly. The day began with England winning the toss, and choosing to bat first, thus giving Shane Warne a chance