SYDNEY (AP) Australia has successfully defended the women's Ashes with a six-wicket win in the opening Twenty20.
After winning the one-day international portion of the series 2-1 and being held to a draw in the one-off test match, the Australians needed to win only one of the three T20s against England to clinch the trophy.
Beth Mooney stroked an unbeaten 86 to guide Australia to victory with 4.1 overs to spare, easily chasing down England's 132 at North Sydney Oval on Friday.
Jess Jonassen dismissed England captain Heather Knight with the second ball to start the slide.
Ellyse Perry was on a hat trick after Tammy Beaumont and Katherine Brunt were caught behind on consecutive deliveries to have England in dire trouble at 16-4.
But she missed the hat-trick opportunity by bowling a wide the next delivery, and England recovered with a 64-run stand from Danielle Wyatt (50) and Natalie Sciver (26). Megan Schutt took three late wickets as England was bowled out on the last ball of the innings.
Australia allrounder Perry provided the highlight of the series with an unbeaten 213 in the drawn test, the third-highest score ever in a women's test.
