Women’s Ashes: England lose first ODI to Australia in early blow to series hopes in Sydney opener | Cricket news
Australia got off to a winning start in the Women’s Ashes by beating England by four wickets in the opening one-day international in Sydney.
A win for the home side and the seed means they have taken the first two points in the multi-format series.
England were bowled out for 203 as Australian all-rounder Ash Gardner played a leading ball with 3-19 followed by 42 not out.
Sent in to bat first, England opener Maia Bouchier was the first victim before captain Heather Knight set a strong pace at the crease.
She combined with Tammy Beaumont and later Nat Sciver-Brunt to put some pressure on the Aussies before Gardner dismissed her for 39 off just 48 balls.
With England three for 92 after Knight’s exit, the quick loss of Sciver-Brunt threatened to disrupt the middle order, but a combined 69 runs from Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Amy Jones kept hopes of a competitive result alive.
However, the tail was no match for Australia’s imposing bowling attack as the tourists lost four of their last five wickets by single digits, eventually leaving the hosts all out for 204 to win.
Although England managed to take the quick scalp of Australian opener Phoebe Litchfield, it was captain Alyssa Healey’s dominant performance that put the visitors on their feet.
Healey found the boundary 11 times before Charlie Dean dismissed him for 70, but the damage was done. Gardner then posted her rapid 42 to get the hosts over the line.
Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Filer took two wickets each for England, while Gardner finished with three wickets in a man-of-the-match performance.
The second ODI is played in Melbourne on Monday from 23.05 (UK time), with two more points for the winner of the second match.
More to come…
Women’s Ashes 2025 schedule
All dates and times UK and Ireland
- First ODI: Saturday, January 11 – North Sydney Oval – Australia won by four wickets
- Second ODI: 23.05, Monday, January 13 – Junction Oval, Melbourne
- Third ODI: 23.05, Thursday 16 January – Ninja Stadium, Hobart
- First T20I: 8.40am, Monday, January 20 – Sydney Cricket Ground
- Second T20I: 8.40am, Thursday, January 23 – Manuka Oval, Canberra
- Third T20I: 8.10am, Saturday, January 25 – Adelaide Oval
- Test: 3.30am Thursday January 30 – Sunday February 2 – MCG, Melbourne
