England Women seal Ashes success with easy win over Australia

England's Charlotte Edwards (C) lifts the Ashes trophy as she celebrates with her teammates (Getty Images)

England Women sealed their Ashes success with a comfortable seven-wicket win in the third NatWest Twenty20 international at Chester-le-Street.

After restricting Australia to 91 for seven England coasted home, following an unbeaten stand of 78 between Lydia Greenway and Natalie Sciver, with 22 balls to spare.

England regained the Ashes with a five-wicket victory at the Ageas Bowl on Thursday and Saturday's result confirmed a 12-4 scoreline, and a fifth successive win, in the multi-format series.

Captain Charlotte Edwards was awarded the trophy on the field after victory to spark England's second Ashes celebrations of the summer following the men's 3-0 Test series win.

Greenway hit an England record 80 from 64 balls in Southampton and was required to play a match-winning role again after the top-order fell cheaply for the second successive game.

When Edwards was bowled by Holly Ferling, England were 14 for three in pursuit of their modest target.

But Greenway produced another guiding hand with 35 from 34 balls, while Sciver added 37 from 44 balls.

Durham-born spinner Danielle Hazell returned England's best figures (two for 20) as Australia were kept under wraps with the bat.

The tourists lost six for 40 in the middle stages of their innings with Hazell locating the stumps of Alex Blackwell and Australia's star all-rounder Ellyse Perry before she had scored.

PA