Women's Ashes 2017: England save face as Jenny Gunn inspires T20 victory over Australia

Tourists secure 40-run victory but Ashes hopes are already over

Jenny Gunn took four wickets as England beat Australia in the second Ashes T20 (Getty)

Jenny Gunn took four wickets as England recorded a consolation victory in the Women's Ashes series with a 40-run win in the second Twenty20 against Australia.

The hosts had retained the urn by winning the opening game of the T20 leg of the tour, but England claimed their second victory of the series thanks to a fine bowling display in Canberra.

Sarah Taylor (30), Natalie Sciver (40) and Katherine Brunt (32 not out) helped England post 152 for six after captain Heather Knight elected to bat first.

Australia put on 45 for the first wicket, but Gunn's run out of Beth Mooney opened the floodgates as England skittled the hosts for 112 with two overs to spare.

Brunt, in successive overs, had Elyse Villani caught behind for one and bowled Ellyse Perry for five, while in between Gunn removed Alyssa Healy, who top-scored for Australia with 24.

Danielle Hazell made it five wickets in as many overs by removing Ashleigh Gardner before 18-year-old Sophie Ecclestone accounted for Rachael Haynes and Delissa Kimmince in the 14th over.

Gunn celebrates with Fran Wilson after taking a wicket (Getty)

Gunn then took England over the line with the final three wickets, trapping Sarah Aley lbw, having Jess Jonassen caught at deep midwicket by Sciver and bowling Molly Strano.

Victory in Tuesday's final T20 would see England level the series at 8-8, but they had to win outright to reclaim the Ashes.

PA