LONDON, July 9: England beat Australia by five wickets in a rain-affected third T20 of the multi-format Ashes at Lord’s, inflicting a first series defeat on the world champions since 2017.
The result also narrows the overall points-based Ashes scoreline to 6-4 with three ODIs remaining, each worth two points.
England were set a revised target of 119 in 14 overs and reached it with four balls remaining, set up by Alice Capsey’s electric 46 from 23 balls.
They suffered a late wobble, losing Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight with just two runs needed, before Danielle Gibson emphatically reverse-swept her first ball for four.
The match also set a new record attendance for a women’s bilateral fixture in England, with 21,610 packing inside Lord’s.
Earlier, Australia finished their 20 overs with 156/7 before rain delayed the start of England’s innings. On a slow pitch, Aussies struggled to get going and trudged to 98/4 before Ellyse Perry and Grace Harris pushed them to a competitive total. (Agencies)
