Women's Ashes: Australia retain Ashes as England subside in Canberra

Australia retained the Women's Ashes as England subsided to a 27-run defeat in the first one-day international in Canberra.

Chasing a below-par 206, the tourists collapsed in a disappointing batting performance to be bowled out for 178 in 45 overs.

They were 10-2 when captain Heather Knight was out lbw for a first-ball duck and, hurt by regular dismissals, never really took control of their chase.

Amy Jones was controversially given out caught off a waist-high full toss for 13 and the tourists slipped further to 103-6 when Nat Sciver was caught and bowled by 18-year-old seamer Darcie Brown for 44.

Katherine Brunt hit 32 not out, putting on 24 with number 11 Kate Cross to give England hope of an unlikely win, but Cross, after being dropped on seven, was caught and bowled by Jess Jonassen for 17 to confirm defeat.

Australia were earlier rescued by Beth Mooney's 73 as they scraped to 205-9 from their 50 overs.

Amid an excellent England performance in the field, one ultimately wasted by the batting, Mooney led a recovery from 67-4 after three wickets fell for seven runs, and added a crucial eighth-wicket stand of 52 from 152-7 with Alana King.

As holders, Australia only had to draw the series to retain the Ashes and now lead 8-4 in the multi-format Ashes series with two ODIs to play.

England, who could still draw the series with two points available for an ODI win, have now gone four series since they last won the Ashes in 2014.

This victory seals a series result the vast majority predicted before it began.

Frustratingly, though, England were well-placed at the halfway stage after their bowling efforts but again, as it did in Sunday's dramatic Test finale, the batting cost Knight's side.

They effectively had to win all three ODIs to