Women’s Ashes: Australia dominate first T20 against England as Tahlia McGrath stars with bat and ball | Cricket News

Australia beat England by nine wickets in the first T20I to take a 2-0 lead in the multi-format Women’s Ashes series; Tahlia McGrath took 3-26 and thumps 91no in stand of 144 with Meg Lanning (64no) as home side race to victory in 17 overs; Danni Wyatt’s 70 from 54 comes in vain

Tahlia McGrath blitzed an unbeaten 91 to take Australia to victory in the Women’s Ashes opener

Tahlia McGrath produced a brilliant all-round performance as Australia raced to a nine-wicket win over England in the opening match of the Women’s Ashes.

The 26-year-old took three wickets to slow England’s momentum and restrict them to 169-4 and then thumped a blistering unbeaten 91 from 49 balls to get her side home in 17 overs in the first T20 international at the Adelaide Oval.

Meg Lanning also made 64 not out, from 44 balls, in a partnership of 144 with McGrath, while Danni Wyatt’s 70 from 54 balls came in vain for Heather Knight’s side.

Holders Australia take a 2-0 lead in the multi-format series ahead of two more T20s over the weekend before the Test match in Canberra next week.

More to follow…

What’s next?

Both sides stay in Adelaide for two more T20 internationals on Saturday and Sunday before moving to Canberra for the Test match next week. Three ODIs will complete the multi-format Ashes series in early February, the first in Canberra and the final two taking place in Melbourne.

Meanwhile, the England men’s team begin their five-match T20I series against the West Indies with back-to-back matches in Barbados over the week.