Women's Ashes 2015: England take four-wicket victory over Australia in the first ODI of the Ashes

England beat Australia with 4.2 overs to spare in the one-day international at Bristol

Doug Bolton
Wednesday 22 July 2015 01:14 BST
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England have beat Australia by four wickets in the first one day international (ODI) of the Women's Ashes 2015.

In the match at the County Ground in Taunton, England won with 4.2 overs to spare after Natalie Sciver scored 66 off 75 balls.

Sciver's century stand with Lydia Greenway, who made 53, helped England recover from 80 for four, before both departed with the victory line in sight.

Greenway hooked a full toss straight to midwicket before Sciver picked out mid-off with 22 runs required to win.

Georgia Ellwiss and Katherine Brunt saw off those runs as England took the two points on offer from the first one-day international.

Australia's Sarah Coyte celebrates with Meghann Lanning after taking the wicket of England's Heather Knight

England scored 240-6, with Australia trailing on 238-9 at the end of the maximum 50 overs.

Australia's score was thanks largely to Alex Blackwell and Elysse Perry. The pair came together at the crease with the score 35 for three, after Katherine Brunt, who took three for 48, and Kate Cross had accounted for Australia's top three.

Australia were gracious in defeat, with skipper Meg Lanning saying to Sky News: "England played really well today to their credit and hopefully we can bounce back pretty quickly at Bristol."

The next ODI will take place at Bristol on 23 July. Another ODI will take place at Worcester, before a test at Canterbury and T20s at Chelmsford, Hove, and Cardiff.

Additional Reporting by the Press Association

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