Australia retain Women’s Ashes as England beaten again in first T20 international at Sydney Cricket Ground | Cricket News happymamay

England’s hopes of reclaiming the Women’s Ashes are over after defending champions Australia opened up an unassailable 8-0 lead with a 57-run win in the first T20 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Heather Knight’s side can still draw the series by winning the last two T20s and a one-off Test, but they will not win the trophy that has been in Australia’s grasp since 2015 after being beaten again.

England, swept 3-0 in the previous ODI series to trail 6-0 on points, were bowled out for 141 in 16 overs to chase a record 199, with 59 from Sophia Dunkley off 30 balls in vain.

Dunkley’s dismissal – bowled by a Tahlia McGrath delivery that stayed down in the 12th over with 89 runs needed – was the decisive blow for the tourists, who had earlier watched openers Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge fall for the Ducks.

Australia plundered 198-7 after their inclusion, with Beth Mooney (75 off 51) top-scoring and recording a 24th over in the 50-over T20 international after being dropped in the 16th over by Amy Jones.

England were sloppy on the field – Lauren Bell bombed debutant Georgia Foale (21 off 11) in the 13th over before hanging her lbw, while Charlie Dean and Nat Sciver-Brent left catches for each other as the tourists also failed to dismiss Mooney on 23 – as well as loose with the ball.

Sophie Ecclestone was the perfect choice for the bowlers, taking 2-26 from her four-run set as she finished off adventurous cameos from McGrath (26 off 9) – who was standing in as captain for Alyssa Healy (foot pain) – and Grace Harris (14 off 9) 8 ), with every other member of England’s attack flogged for eight or more runs.

The series continues in Canberra on Thursday, before the T20 final in Adelaide on Saturday and then a pink-ball Test match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground from January 30.

Then will come decision time for England, with the futures of captain Heather Knight and head coach John Lewis likely to be up for discussion.

Dunkley’s dazzling strike comes in a losing cause

England needed to match the national record T20 chase of 199 they made against India in Mumbai in 2018 but suffered a horrific start when Boshier hit her second ball to deep midwicket, before Wyatt Hodge sneaked behind the first delivery – Megan Shutt and Kim Garth wicket-takers respectively.

Dunkley and Sciver-Brunt (20 off 12) made the save, adding 44 off 18 balls, all in boundaries, only for the latter to be bowled by Alana King (2-14) off the first ball of the leg-spinner, which skidded through low.

Dunkley, though, continued to work her way to a 24-ball, fourth T20I 50 in a stand of 48 off 36 deliveries with Knight before the captain was pinned lbw by King immediately after drinks.

When Dunkley departed, England pulled away and lost their last six wickets for 31 runs as the Australian spinner Georgia Wareham claimed 3-25.

Earlier, Mooney was supported with the bat mainly by Voll, McGrath and Phoebe Litchfield, with 25 from 20 balls including an obscene switch-hit for six.

Bean was handed a debut after Healy was injured, which could see the skipper ruled out of the rest of the series.

With the Ashes retained, Australia could be wary of Healy, although she will be determined to win the series outright after only getting a draw in England in 2023.

Women’s Ashes – results and matches

All dates and times in the UK and Ireland

• First international match: Saturday 11 January – Australia won by four wickets
• Audi II: Monday 13 January – Australia won by 21 points
• Audi III: Thursday 16 January – Australia won by 86 runs
• First T20I: Monday 20 January – Australia won by 57 runs
• Second T20I: Thursday 23 January (8.40am) – Canberra
• 3rd T20I: Saturday 25 January (8.10am) – Adelaide
• exam: Thursday 30 January – Sunday 2 February (3.30am) – Melbourne