Aus retains women’s Ashes with two ODIs to spare

Australia retained the Women’s Ashes after beating England in the first One-Day International of the multiformat series on Thursday.

England required victories in all three ODIs to win the Ashes but lost by 27 runs in Canberra after getting dismissed for 178, needing 206 to win. Australia took an 8-4 points lead in the series and cannot be beaten, with each of the remaining two ODIs earning two points for the winner. The Australians have held the Ashes since the 2013- 14 winter. (Agencies)

Brief scores: Australia Women205/9 in 50 overs (Beth Mooney 73; Kate Cross 3-33) beat England Women 178 in 45 overs (Natalie Sciver 45; Darcie Brown 4-34) by 27 runs.