Australia Women beat England by four-wickets as Beth Mooney puts on a masterclass at Edgbaston

On a night they desperately needed to perform to really keep alive their hopes of winning the women’s Ashes, England gave it their all. But against this all-conquering Australian side sometimes even that isn’t enough and it showed in a thriller final at Edgbaston.

Beth Mooney led from the front with 61* to lead Australia to a four-wicket victory in the first of three Twenty20 matches. The result leaves her side 6-0 in the series and just one win away from retaining the urn.

“When you’re involved in a game like that, it’s a little harder to take because you’re so close,” said England’s Amy Jones. But there are definitely positives. It was exciting and there were a lot of people to see, which was a great feeling.’

It was always going to be an uphill battle for England after losing the test match opener of the series. They fought hard here, but the reigning Twenty20 World Champions weathered the storm of a 20,000 strong Edgbaston crowd and kept their composure to prove why they are the best white ball team around.

Regular wickets hampered England’s innings and if it weren’t for opener Sophia Dunkley’s 56 and Jones’ impressive late hand of 40* things could have been a lot easier for the tourists.

England threatened to make the chase interesting with a flurry of late wickets, but eventually Mooney’s class told and she was there at the end as the tourists crossed the finish line with one ball to spare.

‘We were very happy [with our score],’ Jones said. “But Mooney hit really well and to have a batter all the time gives yourself the best chance of winning. She was probably the difference.’

It was a power play full of drama after England were sent to bat. In the second over Danni Wyatt, all points were beaten by Darcie Brown’s outswing, but the ball only shaved the top of the stump and failed to dislodge the bail.

However, her reprieve did not last long. In the next over, Australian sailor Megan Schutt (2-33) knocked Wyatt’s (7) off the stump. There’s no doubt about that.

Alice Capsey was next to act, driven away by Brown from her own bowling for three when replays showed she had not put her bat on the ground.

With wickets falling around her, Dunkley had to reign in her attacking style, yet she managed to run better than a ball run. She’s unlikely to be the cover star of the MCC coaching manual, but Dunkley proved once again how effective her unorthodox shots can be.

England’s innings were in danger of falling into disarray as Dunkley was caught on the boundary before another two wickets fell for just three runs.

But stepped up Jones who led a late attack including taking 13 runs from the final over. Jess Jonassen was the best of the bowlers and took three wickets with her spin.

England’s total always looked light on a good pitch at Edgbaston and it showed. Lauren Bell got off to a perfect start after firing Alyssa Healy for five.

Debutant Danielle Gibson was just as impressive with the ball, but Tahlia McGrath’s effortless 40 off 29 balls helped keep the ship steady.

She fell to a brilliant piece of bowling by spinner Sophie Ecclestone (2-24) but once Australia got the required speed to just over a run-a-ball, the end result never really looked in doubt. A late flurry of wickets made it interesting but came too little, too late for the hosts.