Australia withstood a late England cost to say outright victory within the Ashes as they earned a six-run win on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern in a rain-affected second T20 conflict.
Beth Mooney put Australia in a robust place with 44 runs and though England took wickets by means of spinners Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean, the hosts overcame their mid-innings wobble with a priceless 48 from stand-in skipper Tahlia McGrath and 35 from Grace Harris.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge posted 52 in response to the 186-run goal and captain Heather Knight threatened an explosive end by smashing an unbeaten 43 from 19 balls.
However with 5 balls left and England needing 18 runs – and sitting narrowly behind on the DLS calculation – the gamers had been introduced off for a second time as a consequence of rain and Australia sealed an outright Ashes victory, taking a 10-0 collection lead.
First Innings
Australia had been despatched into bat first and opener Georgia Voll was the primary to fall with a run-out, however Mooney put the hosts within the driving seat with an excellent 44 off 31 balls.
Ecclestone then broke her stride because the wicketkeeper-batter was caught out of her crease by her counterpart Amy Jones, who rapidly eliminated the bails.
Spin proved to be the answer once more in a productive tenth over when Ellyse Perry lofted Charlie Dean’s supply to Maia Bouchier at level and Dean struck two balls later, hitting Phoebe Litchfield’s center stump after the batter tried a sweep shot.
Australia had been 78 for 4 on the midway level and though England missed an incredible likelihood to dismiss Annabel Sutherland when her shot flew by means of Freya Kemp’s fingers, the all-rounder quickly dismissed Sutherland for 18.
McGrath and Harris led the restoration effort with a sixth-wicket partnership of 71 from 35 balls, which included an excellent 35 off 17 from Harris.
Second Innings
England began their chase effectively, posting 41 with out loss within the opening 5 overs, however a poor shot from Bouchier noticed her scoop the ball into the air for a caught and bowled by Sutherland.
After a quick stoppage as a consequence of rain and flashes of lightning, the sport resumed 8.4 overs in and from the subsequent supply Dunkley was dropped behind by McGrath on 22.
Wyatt-Hodge introduced up her half-century in 36 deliveries, however she fell shortly afterwards as Megan Schutt discovered the breakthrough and the seamer loved additional success simply three balls later, clipping Dunkley’s off-stump because the damaging batter fell for 32.
A valiant fightback noticed Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt add 65 off 37 balls, however the all-rounder was bowled within the penultimate over by Kim Garth, leaving England needing 22 runs from the ultimate over.
Knight was left annoyed as play was stopped once more with 5 balls to go because of the poor climate and within the pouring rain, each captains shook palms as Australia claimed victory.
READ MORE: Heather Knight felt England were on for Ashes victory before rain stopped play