Australia retains the Women's Ashes with victory in first ODI making it impossible for England to win series

Australia has retained the Women's Ashes yet again, with a victory in the first of three one-day internationals making it impossible for England to do anything either than tie the multi-format series.

The Aussies have Beth Mooney and Darcie Brown to thank for the victory in Canberra, with Mooney scoring 73 off 91 as Australia struggled to 205 off their 50 overs.

Mooney's effort with the bat was then superbly backed up by the bowling attack, with Brown taking the wickets of opener Tammy Beaumont and captain Heather Knight in successive deliveries in the fourth over, finishing with 4-34 in her fourth ODI.

The 27-run win at Manuka Oval gave Australia an 8-4 lead in the multi-format series, with one T20 victory, followed by two washouts and a drawn Test.

Victories in the limited-overs games are only worth two points each, meaning the best England can do is tie the series; not enough to take the trophy off Australia.

It marks the fourth straight time Australia has claimed the trophy.

While the retention came early in the series, they twice would have felt victory in their hands.

In the 41st over, number 11 Kate Cross was given out LBW, only for a slight inside edge to save her on review; and she received another life in the next over when she hooked Tahlia McGrath high into the deep, but Ellyse Perry uncharacteristically dropped a sitter on the rope.

But just under four overs later, left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen sealed the victory by taking a sharp return catch to finally get rid of Cross.

The last two games of the series are on Sunday and Tuesday.