Australia defeated England by seven wickets in the third Twenty20 International of the Women’s Ashes at Stadium Australia here on Sunday.
England secured the Ashes title following their win in the first T20I at Hobart and finished the series with a points lead of 10-8. Australia’s Ellyse Perry claimed the Peden-Archdale Medal as the player-of-the-series.
Captain Meg lanning won the toss and sent England in to bat first. The visitors made 101/8 from their 20 overs, a total which was chased down by Australia in the 19th over as they reached 102/3 with nine balls to spare. Rene Farrell’s figures of 4/15 earned her player-of-the-match.
Australia got off to solid start with the ball as Farrell snared the wicket of lauren Winfield (0) in the second over. Two overs later Farrell struck again, claiming key wickets of Charlotte Edwards (12) and lydia Greenway (0) with successive balls.
Sarah Taylor (22) provided some stability at the top of the order before she was caught out by Nicole Bolton off the bowling of Megan Schutt (1/13). Arran Brindle added six runs before she lost her wicket courtesy a brilliant one-handed catch by lanning at mid-wicket.
Natalie Sciver (28) continued her good form before she was run out in the 15th over. Four balls later Danielle Wyatt (6) fell victim to another run out as England fell to 79/7. Jenny Gunn (11 not out) and Danielle Hazell (9) added a handful of runs later before the latter was bowled on the final ball of the innings.