England’s hopes of regaining the Women’s Ashes are over after holders Australia opened up an unassailable 8-0 lead with a 57-run victory in the first T20 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Heather Knight’s side can still draw the series with victory in the final two T20s and one-off Test but will not win the trophy that has been in Australia’s grasp since 2015 after being overpowered again.
England, who had been swept 3-0 in the preceding ODI series to fall 6-0 down on points, were dismissed for 141 in 16 overs chasing a record-equalling 199, with Sophia Dunkley’s 59 off 30 balls in vain.
Dunkley’s dismissal – bowled by a Tahlia McGrath delivery that kept low in the 12th over with 89 runs required – was the decisive blow for the tourists, who had earlier seen openers Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge fall for ducks.
Australia plundered 198-7 after being inserted, with Beth Mooney (75 off 51) top-scoring and registering a 24th T20 international fifty after being dropped on 16 by Amy Jones.
England were sloppy in the field – Lauren Bell shelled debutant Georgia Voll (21 off 11) on 13 before pinning her lbw , while Charlie Dean and Nat Sciver-Brunt left a catch for each other as the tourists also failed to dismiss Mooney on 23 – as well as loose with the ball.
Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the bowlers, bagging 2-39 from her four overs as she ended enterprising cameos from McGrath (26 off 9) – who was standing in as captain for Alyssa Healy (foot soreness) – and Grace Harris (14 off 8).
The series continues in Canberra on Thursday, before the final T20 at Adelaide on Saturday and then the pink-ball Test match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground from January 30.
More to follow.
Women’s Ashes – results and fixtures
All dates and times UK and Ireland
- First ODI: Saturday January 11 – Australia won by four wickets
- Second ODI: Monday January 13 – Australia won by 21 runs
- Third ODI: Thursday January 16 – Australia won by 86 runs
- First T20I: Monday January 20 – Australia won by
- Second T20I: Thursday January 23 (8.40am) – Canberra
- Third T20I: Saturday January 25 (8.10am) – Adelaide
- One-off Test: Thursday Jan 30-Sunday Feb 2 (3.30am) – Melbourne
