Beth Mooney’s excellent 86 not out from 56 balls ensured Australia Women claimed the first T20I against England Women in Sydney today and with it regained the Women’s Ashes.

The hosts got off to a tremendous start with Jonassen removing England opener Heather Knight for a duck on the second ball of the game, as further inroads saw England floundering at 16-4 after 4.3 overs.

But a 36-ball fifty from Danielle Wyatt saved England from embarrassment, with Nat Sciver (26) and Fran Wilson (23) the only others reaching double figures.

Megan Schutt was the pick of Australia’s bowlers, with 4-22 off her four overs. Slow left-armer Jess Jonassen’s 4-14 off three overs was the most economical, with only 14 runs conceded from her three overs, while Ellyse Perry also chipped in with 2-26.

Despite Katherine Brunt’s dismissal of Alyssa Healy in the fourth over, the fast bowler proved expensive with 33 runs conceded from her three overs. Australia No. 3 Beth Mooney ensured Australia didn’t succumb to the same top-order collapse as the visitors, stealing the show with a brilliant undefeated 86, including 11 fours and two sixes. Off-break bowler Danielle Hazell was the pick of England’s bowlers with 1-14 off three overs.

The result gives Australia, the holders of the Women’s Ashes, an unassailable 8-4 points lead with just two T20s to play. The best England can hope for is 8-8.

The second T20 will take place at the Manuka Oval, Canberra, on Sunday.