England Women end Ashes with defeat

Australia's Alyssa Healy, left, chipped in with 22 runs as the hosts took some consolation from a losing series with a win

2 February 2014

England Women ended their successful Ashes campaign with a seven-wicket defeat to Australia in the third Twenty20 international in Sydney.

Australia coasted to victory with nine balls to spare after an injury-hit England posted 101 for eight.

England nonetheless lifted the Ashes after the match having already secured the multi-format series with a nine-wicket win in the first Twenty20 in Hobart last Wednesday.

Two heavy defeats since thinned the margin of their series win to 10-8.

Injuries have weakened England in those matches with Heather Knight (hamstring), Anya Shrubsole (hip) and Natasha Farrant (back) missing at the ANZ Stadium.

A below-par batting performance was, however, the main reason for defeat as Natalie Sciver (28) and Sarah Taylor (22) were alone in passing 20.

Rene Farrell's career-best four for 15 from three overs, which included removing Charlotte Edwards and Lydia Greenway from consecutive balls, inflicted the damage.

Opener Elyse Villani (36 not out) batted Australia to victory and hit the winning run, when Edwards brought herself on.