Islamabad (Sports Desk): England were beaten by four wickets in their first One Day International of the Women's Ashes against Australia in Sydney. Australia's Ash Gardner took 3-19 as England were bowled out for 203, and then scored an unbeaten 42 to lead her side to victory with 11.1 overs to spare.
The home side won the toss and elected to bowl. After Maia Bouchier's early dismissal, captain Heather Knight (39 off just 49 balls) combined with Tammy Beaumont and later Nat Sciver-Brunt to put some pressure on the hosts while 69 runs from Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Amy Jones kept hopes of setting a competitive score alive.
England were at 91-2, before Australia removed Knight and all-rounder Sciver-Brunt in consecutive Gardner overs. The tourists lost four of their final five wickets for single digits, setting the hosts a score of 204 for victory. Lauren Filer dismissed opener Phoebe Litchfield but a dominant performance from captain Alyssa Healy set the hosts on their way.
Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone impressed with the ball, the former taking an important wicket of Ellyse Perry and recording figures of 1-25 but captain Healy’s knock of 70 from 78 balls and Gardner's quick 42 helped the hosts across the line.
The win gives Australia a 2-0 lead on points in the multi-format series. The second ODI of three takes place at the Junction Oval in Melbourne on 13 January (23:05 GMT).
