SYDNEY: Australia retained the women's Ashes with a six-wicket win over England in the first Twenty20 international in Sydney on Friday.
A career-best haul of four for 22 from Megan Schutt restricted England to 132 for nine before Beth Mooney's 86 –- the highest score in a T20 in Australia –- helped reel in the target with 25 balls to spare.
The two points from the victory clinched the series for Australia with two matches to play.
In the multi-format series, the four points from two ODI wins, two points from the drawn day-night Test and the T20 victory enabled Australia take an unassailable lead and retain the trophy.
The highlight of the Ashes series was Ellyse Perry's record-breaking 213 not out in the day-night Ashes Test last week.
The series now moves to Canberra for the final two ODIs on Sunday and Tuesday at Manuka Oval.