England’s hopes of regaining the Ladies’s Ashes are over after holders Australia opened up an unassailable 8-0 lead with a 57-run victory within the first T20 on the Sydney Cricket Floor.
Heather Knight’s facet can nonetheless draw the collection with victory within the last two T20s and one-off Take a look at however is not going to win the trophy that has been in Australia’s grasp since 2015 after being overpowered once more.
England, who had been swept 3-0 within the previous ODI collection to fall 6-0 down on factors, had been dismissed for 141 in 16 overs chasing a record-equalling 199, with Sophia Dunkley’s 59 off 30 balls in useless.
Dunkley’s dismissal – bowled by a Tahlia McGrath supply that saved low within the twelfth over with 89 runs required – was the decisive blow for the vacationers, who had earlier seen openers Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge fall for geese.
Australia plundered 198-7 after being inserted, with Beth Mooney (75 off 51) top-scoring and registering a twenty fourth T20 worldwide 50 after being dropped on 16 by Amy Jones.
England had been sloppy within the area – Lauren Bell shelled debutant Georgia Voll (21 off 11) on 13 earlier than pinning her lbw , whereas Charlie Dean and Nat Sciver-Brunt left a catch for one another because the vacationers additionally didn’t dismiss Mooney on 23 – in addition to free with the ball.
Sophie Ecclestone was the decide of the bowlers, bagging 2-26 from her 4 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), with each different member of the England assault flogged for eight runs an over or extra.
The collection continues in Canberra on Thursday, earlier than the ultimate T20 at Adelaide on Saturday after which the pink-ball Take a look at match on the iconic Melbourne Cricket Floor from January 30.
After that can come determination time for England, with the futures of captain Heather Knight and head coach Jon Lewis prone to be up for dialogue.
Dunkley’s dazzling knock is available in shedding trigger
England wanted to match the nationwide file T20 run chase of 199 they achieved in opposition to India in Mumbai in 2018 however suffered a dreadful begin as Bouchier swatted her second ball to deep midwicket, earlier than Wyatt-Hodge snicked behind first supply – Megan Schutt and Kim Garth the wicket-takers respectively.
Dunkley and Sciver-Brunt (20 off 12) countered, including 44 from 18 balls, all in boundaries, just for the latter to be bowled by Alana King (2-14) from the leg-spinner’s first ball, which skidded via low.
Dunkley continued, although, powering her option to a 24-ball, fourth T20I 50 in a stand of 48 from 36 deliveries with Knight previous to the captain being pinned lbw by King straight after drinks.
When Dunkley departed, England folded, shedding their final six wickets for 31 runs as Australia spinner Georgia Wareham claimed 3-25.
Phoebe Litchfield was run out by Heather Knight after scoring 25 from 20 balls
Earlier, Mooney was backed up with the bat principally by Voll, McGrath and Phoebe Litchfield, with the latter’s 25 from 20 balls together with an outrageous change hit for six.
Voll was handed a debut following Healy’s harm, which may but rule the skipper out of the remainder of the collection.
With the Ashes retained, Australia can afford to watch out with Healy, though they are going to be decided to win the collection outright after solely securing a attract England in 2023.
Ladies’s Ashes – outcomes and fixtures
All dates and occasions UK and Eire
- First ODI: Saturday January 11 – Australia gained by 4 wickets
- Second ODI: Monday January 13 – Australia gained by 21 runs
- Third ODI: Thursday January 16 – Australia gained by 86 runs
- First T20I: Monday January 20 – Australia gained by 57 runs
- Second T20I: Thursday January 23 (8.40am) – Canberra
- Third T20I: Saturday January 25 (8.10am) – Adelaide
- Take a look at: Thursday Jan 30-Sunday Feb 2 (3.30am) – Melbourne
