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 third successive defeat leaves them 6-0 down in the multi-format series and needing to win the three remaining T20s and Test match to regain The Ashes.

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 46 for three.

But half-centuries from Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath and Gardner’s superb century turned the tide of the match, ultimately setting a daunting figure 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.

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

England managed just 21 runs from there, Gardner capping her fine performance with the bat with a sensational juggling catch on the boundary to remove Sophie Ecclestone as Australia wrapped up a clean sweep of ODI victories.

“I think Australia played really nicely,” England captain Heather Knight said. “We bowled up front to try and put on the pressure, it worked but that partnership of Ash Gardner and Beth Mooney, they were hard to keep quiet.

“A couple of chances fell between fielders which is frustrating but a great performance from Gardner. I thought it would be quite a nice chase, but a few wickets fell and the run-rate went up.”

‘I misjudged it’ – Gardner’s spectacular catch in pictures

“I actually misjudged that, clearly, because I took it one handed.

“So I guess to know where the rope was behind me and get my feet to throw the ball back is one of those things where you don’t necessarily practise it heaps but you have to let your instincts take over in those moments.

“Luckily I was able to pull it off.”

Sciver-Brunt: Format change may lift England spirits

Sciver-Brunt said: “We made some improvements, probably weren’t our best on the field. We weren’t our best in general today.

“They bat very low down, it makes it really hard for us. We thought with the start we had, we’d put pressure on them but they had a really good partnership.

“The wicket got drier, more tired, which made it hard for us. If you got it in the right area, you could make it difficult for the batter to score. If you used your knowledge and skills, you could make it work. I tried to do that, but I couldn’t do it for long enough.

“I think a change of format will lift the spirits and loosen everyone. There’s new recruits who will bring us energy, we look forward to going back to Sydney.”

Women’s Ashes 2025 schedule

All dates and times UK and Ireland

• First ODI: Saturday January 11 – North Sydney Oval – Australia won by four wickets
• Second ODI: Monday January 13 – Junction Oval, Melbourne – Australia won by 21 runs
• Third ODI: Thursday January 16 – Ninja Stadium, Hobart – Australia won by 86 runs
• First T20I: 8.40am, Monday January 20 – Sydney Cricket Ground
• Second T20I: 8.40am, Thursday January 23 – Manuka Oval, Canberra
• Third T20I: 8.10am, Saturday January 25 – Adelaide Oval
• Test: 3.30am, Thursday Jan 30-Sunday Feb 2 – MCG, Melbourne