Women’s Ashes 2025: Australia retain after beating England in T20 opener

SYDNEY: Australia retained the Women’s Ashes with a 57-run victory over England in the first T20 at the Sydney Cricket Ground here on Monday.

Australia were without their regular captain and keeper Alyssa Healy, who was ruled out with a foot injury. Meanwhile, Ashleigh Gardner, the star of their 3-0 ODI series sweep, was also out of action due to a calf strain.

It was the first time Australia had played a T20I without both Healy and Gardner in their XI in 12 years and the first international match both had missed since an ODI in February 2016.

However, their absence did not make any difference as Beth Mooney gave Australia a brilliant start with a 75-run knock from 51 balls to set up a total of 198-7.

Debutant Georgia Voll scored 21 off 11, while Phoebe Litchfield’s 20-ball 25, and Tahlia McGrath’s quick-fire 26 off nine helped Australia set a massive total.

For England, Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell took two wickets each, while Freya Kemp and Charlie Dean bagged one each.

In response, the England women’s team bundled for 141 in 16 overs, courtesy of a combined effort by Australian bowlers.

England lost openers Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge with four runs on the board before Sophia Dunkley scored 59 runs from 30 balls to keep the team in the hunt.

However, Dunkley could not find enough support from the other end as England lost the last seven wickets for 45 runs, bundling for 141 runs.

Alana King and Georgia Wareham took two and three wickets respectively for Australia women’s team.

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