Women’s Ashes 2025: Australia retain as England beaten in T20 opener

Australia retained the Women's Ashes with a 57-run victory over England in the first T20 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Set a target of 199 to win, the tourists fell to 141 all out in 16 overs.

Sophia Dunkley scored 59 from 30 balls but the last seven wickets fell for 45 runs as leg-spinners Alana King and Georgia Wareham took two and three wickets respectively. Openers Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge fell for ducks in the first two overs - Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight finished on 20 and 18 respectively.

Beth Mooney made 75 from 51 balls at the top of the order for Australia, fellow opener and debutant Georgia Voll (21), Phoebe Litchfield (25), Tahlia McGrath (26) all contributed; Sophie Ecclestone recorded 2-26.

The victory gives Australia an 8-0 lead in the multi-format series meaning England can draw if they win all of their remaining matches.

Sophia Dunkley’s post-match media conference is available here.

2025 Women’s Ashes fixtures and results (UK dates and times)

CommBank Women’s Ashes ODI Series

11 January: North Sydney Oval, Sydney – Australia won by four wickets

13 January: Junction Oval, Melbourne - Australia won by 21 runs

16 January: Bellerive Oval, Hobart – Australia won by 86 runs

CommBank Women’s Ashes IT20 Series

20 January: SCG, Sydney – Australia won by 57 runs

23 January: Manuka Oval, Canberra (8.40am UK time)

25 January: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (8.10am UK time)

CommBank Women’s Ashes Test Match

30 January-2 February: MCG, Melbourne (3.30am UK time)

ENDS