England left with mountain to climb as Australia complete clean sweep of Women's Ashes ODIs

Ashleigh Gardner’s maiden international hundred helped Australia sweep the ODI series and move within one win of retaining the Ashes

England suffered a third consecutive loss and are starting down the barrel of Ashes defeat (Getty Images)

A superb batting display put Australia on the verge of retaining the Women’s Ashes with an 86-run victory over England in the third and final ODI.

Ashleigh Gardner’s barnstorming effort of 102 from as many balls helped propel the hosts to 308 in Hobart, with England falling short at 222 in response.

England’s bowlers got the game off to a strong start, Lauren Bell claiming the wicket of danger-woman Ellyse Perry for just two runs to leave the hosts under pressure at three for 46.

Ash Gardner smashed a stunning hundred as Australia showcased their batting depth (Getty Images)

But half-centuries from Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath and Gardner’s superb century turned the tide of the match, before some outstanding late hitting from Georgia Wareham lifted the hosts to a daunting total for England to chase.

The visitors’ turn at the crease got off to an unhelpful start with opener Maia Bouchier dismissed for a duck, but 54 from Tammy Beaumont and Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 61 kept England’s hopes alive.

Nat Sciver-Brunt kept England’s hopes alive for a while but Australia’s class told (AP)

Those dreams were quickly dashed however, with Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s dismissal at five for 200 quickly followed by Alice Capsey’s duck.

England managed just 21 runs from there as legspinner Alana King again dismantled their lower order with Gardner taking a stunning catch on the midwicket boundary.

It leaves Heather Knight’s side needing to win the three remaining T20s and four-day Test match to regain the Ashes.

PA