England Women Retain Ashes

England Women succeeded where their male counterparts failed as they defended their Ashes title Down Under.

Charlotte Edwards led from the front as England Women beat Australia by nine wickets in the first Twenty20 international to open up an unassailable lead in the series.

England had put themselves in a dominant position to retain the urn after winning the one-off Test and first one-day international to give them an eight-point lead in the scoring system.

And although Australia kept the series alive with victories in the next two ODIs, England were able to complete the job in Hobart.

Skipper Edwards top scored with a magnificent 92 as England chased down Australia's 150-3 at the Bellerive Oval.

Edwards hit 13 fours and a six during her 58-ball knock - including the winning boundary - with the Kent opener putting on 114 for the second wicket with Sarah Taylor.

Taylor, herself, also caught the eye with 50 not out as England raced to a convincing victory. Danielle Wyatt was the only England wicket to fall when the opener was caught by Alex Blackwell off Jess Jonassen for six.

Meg Lanning's unbeaten 78 off 54 balls had provided the backbone to Australia's total after the hosts had opted to bat first.

Ellyse Perry also scored 29 not out during a 67-run stand for the fourth wicket, while Blackwell added 21 at the top of the order.

Danielle Hazell and Wyatt picked up a wicket apiece for England, while Edwards ran out Blackwell.