Beth Mooney led Australia to a commanding 57-run victory over England in the first Women’s Ashes T20I at the SCG. Injury-hit Australia retains the Ashes with dominant performances from spinners and batters alike.
Introduction:
Australia’s Women’s Ashes campaign started with a bang at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) as hosts Australia defeated England by 57 runs in the first T20I. Despite the absence of star players Alyssa Healy and Ashleigh Gardner, Australia was resilient, led by Beth Mooney. See also: India’s Record-Breaking Day: Historic 304 Run Victory
Mooney Shines in a Record-Breaking Victory
Beth Mooney stood in as wicketkeeper and opening batter for Australia, steadying the innings with an assured 75 off 51 balls. A few early hiccups in the batting order aside, she remained calm and ensured that the team was stable. Mooney’s effort helped Australia to an imposing 198 for 7, capitalizing on sloppy fielding by England. She also made an impact behind the stumps, taking two crucial catches.

Voll and Litchfield Shine in Absence of Healy
With Healy ruled out due to a foot injury and Gardner nursing a calf strain, 19-year-old Georgia Voll made her T20I debut. Voll was brilliant with a quick-fire 21 off 11 balls, including three consecutive boundaries off England spinner Charlie Dean. Phoebe Litchfield continued her fine form, attacking England’s spin attack with confidence, including a stunning switch-hit six.

England’s Fielding Woes and Resurgence
Early miscues in the field paved the way for Australia to gain momentum. Voll was dropped by Lauren Bell very early. Another direct hit by Heather Knight inspired a brief revival as she ran out Litchfield. Amy Jones put in sharp stumping to send Ellyse Perry back. But Mooney had already scored her half-century by the time Australia had set an imposing total.
Dunkley’s Single Opposition Proves Inadequate
While chasing 199, England found herself in a tough place by losing Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge in the first two overs. Sophia Dunkley, though, gave the visitors a hope with 59 off just 30 balls which included four sixes and had a strike rate that kept the game alive for England for some time.

Dunkley’s fifty was the second-fastest against Australia in T20Is, but her dismissal-clean bowled by Tahlia McGrath-was the end to England’s challenge. After that, England will be collapsing as they lost the last five wickets for a mere 25 runs.

Alana King and Georgia Wareham Seal the Win
The match-winning performances by Australia’s spinners, Alana King and Georgia Wareham, came in the form of five wickets taken between them. King struck with her very first ball in nearly two years to get rid of the dangerous Nat Sciver-Brunt. Wareham then cleaned up England’s tail by dismissing Jones, Sophie Ecclestone, and Dean in quick succession.

Injury Concerns and Australia’s Dominance
It was an even more impressive win considering Australia’s depleted line-up. It was the first time in 12 years that both Healy and Gardner were absent from a T20I. But their replacements came up to the mark and proved that Australia had some real bench strength.
This win puts Australia at an 8-0 point lead in the series, ensuring that they will retain the Ashes. At this point for England, it is best if they win all the remaining matches to draw the series.

An Imbalanced Competition Raises Questions
While the Ashes are always a marquee event, the one-sided nature of this year’s contest has seen some cause for concern. A SCG crowd of 9,279 enjoyed an Australian display on Saturday, but Cricket Australia would hope for a bigger crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on day four for the day-night Test, which might well end up being a dead rubber.

Conclusion: Australia’s Unstoppable Momentum
Australia’s commanding victory in the first T20I is a testament to their depth, skill, and ability to perform under pressure. Beth Mooney’s brilliance, Sophia Dunkley’s valiant fight, and the spinners’ dominance highlight the high-stakes nature of the Ashes.
As the series progresses, England must regroup and find answers to counter Australia’s relentless form. For now, the hosts remain firmly in control, proving why they are the reigning queens of cricket.