The T20I stage of Women’s Ashes 2025 enjoyed an exciting debut at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, as Australia defeated England by 57 runs in the first T20I to take a 1-0 lead in the series. A dominant performance with bat and ball saw the hosts retain the Ashes in style, continuing their impressive record in the multi-format series.
Beth Mooney helps Australia set ambitious goal
By choosing to bowl first after winning the toss, England hoped to restrict Australia to a modest total. However, Beth Mooney anchored the innings with a superb 75 off 51 balls, interspersed with 11 boundaries. Georgia Voll got off to an explosive start with 21 off 11 deliveries, while Tahlia McGrathThe blistering 26 from just 9 balls towards the end propelled the hosts to an imposing 198/7 in 20 overs.
England’s bowlers struggled to stay consistent, but Sophie Ecclestone was the standout performer, taking 2 wickets for 26 runs in her four overs. Lauren Bell also picked up 2 wickets but was expensive, conceding 39 runs.
Also WATCH: Phoebe Litchfield reverses scoops to smash a towering six against Sarah Glenn in 1st T20I- AUS-W vs ENG-W
England crumble under pressure
Chasing 199, England got off to a nightmare start, losing both Maïa Boucher And Danielle Wyatt without marking. Sophie Dunkley led a spirited fightback, smashing 59 off 30 balls, including six fours and four sixes. Natalie Sciver contributed 20 off 12, but the rest of the batting line-up failed to resist the Australian bowling attack.
Georgia Wareham was the pick of the bowlers for Australia, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs in his three overs. Alana King was equally effective, picking up 2 for 14. England were bowled out for 141 in just 16 overs, handing Australia a comprehensive victory.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
It’s so easy to spot people who haven’t watched Beth Mooney beat. You’ll see their complaints about the rounds slowing down early on. Then talk about her strike rate and finally shut up when she starts doing her thing. #Ashes
– Australian women’s cricket with very little context (@awcwvlc) January 20, 2025
#Ashes retained ✅ pic.twitter.com/hHRFc9EXOh
– Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) January 20, 2025
AUSTRALIA PRESERVES THE ASHES 💚💛 pic.twitter.com/VHUCeOIoBb
– Sydney Cricket Ground (@scg) January 20, 2025
Australia retained the Women’s Ashes in nine days.
-Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) January 20, 2025
https://x.com/WomenCricketHQ/status/1881304434564812949
It is very likely that Australia will retain the #Ashes around 10:45-11 p.m. on Monday evening.
How completely anti-climatic– Sam Walker (@samuelsays11) January 20, 2025
Australia retained the Ashes in the blink of an eye, they’re really freaking good.#washes
– Sight Screen Cricket Journal (@SightScreenCJ) January 20, 2025
Congratulations Australia / ASHES stay home! 💪🏏🇭🇲 pic.twitter.com/buG8mH8IDU
— 🇳🇿🇺🇸🇬🇧 UNITED (@NoJabsForMeFKU) January 20, 2025
ashes preserved 🥂 pic.twitter.com/cz9xHFyX0U
– Claire Cozy (@ClareCosy) January 20, 2025
Most 50+ scores in women’s T20Is:
*Smriti Mandhana: 30
*Suzie Bates: 29
*Beth Mooney: 26 years old
*Sophie Devine & Stafanie Taylor: 22 pic.twitter.com/54wwNhPxcM— The Sport (@the_sports_x) January 20, 2025
Also READ: AUS-W vs ENG-W: Here’s why Alyssa Healy won’t play today’s Women’s Ashes 2025 match
This article was first published on FemmesCricket.coma Cricket Times Company.
