Injury-hit Australia secured a dominant 57-run victory over England in the first T20I at the SCG, retaining the Women’s Ashes. Beth Mooney’s composed 75 off 51 balls guided Australia to 198 for 7, while spinners Georgia Wareham (3-25) and Alana King (2-14) dismantled England’s chase, bowling them out for 141 in 16 overs.
Despite the absence of key players Alyssa Healy and Ashleigh Gardner due to injuries, Australia delivered a solid performance. Mooney, standing in as wicketkeeper, anchored the innings while Tahlia McGrath contributed a quickfire 26 off nine balls. Debutant Georgia Voll impressed early with aggressive stroke play, though she fell for 21. England’s sloppy fielding added to their woes, with multiple dropped catches aiding Australia’s total.
England’s chase got off to a shaky start, losing early wickets, but Sophia Dunkley’s explosive 59 off 30 balls, including four sixes, kept them in contention. However, King made an immediate impact, bowling out Nat Sciver-Brunt with her first delivery, and Dunkley’s dismissal in the 12th over marked the beginning of England’s collapse. They lost their last five wickets for just 25 runs.
Australia’s victory gives them an 8-0 points lead, meaning England can only hope to draw the series by winning the remaining two T20Is and the Test match. A crowd of 9,279 witnessed the game, but the one-sided contest raises concerns about attendance for the upcoming day-night Test at the MCG.
Australia will now focus on maintaining their momentum, while England must find a way to overcome their struggles against spin to stay in the series.
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