Australia extended their Women’s Ashes lead over England as the hosts defended a modest total to seal a 21-run victory in a thrilling second one-day international in Melbourne.

After losing Sunday’s opener in Sydney, the tourists appeared to be in good shape to level the series at Junction Oval when a fine display in the field saw them bowl Australia all out for 180 in the 45th over of the hosts’ innings.

However, despite having been relatively well set at 68-2 after overcoming the early loss of their opening batters, England fell short as Amy Jones was left stranded on 47 when Heather Knight’s side were all out for 159 with 11 balls of their innings remaining.

The victory earns Australia another two points in the multi-format series and extends their advantage to 4-0.

It means England need to win at least three of the four remaining white-ball clashes to retain hope of clinching the Ashes heading in to the series-concluding Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from January 30.

Sophie Ecclestone had taken 4-35 and Alice Capsey 3-22 as England put the brakes on a good Australian start to bowl out the hosts with more than five overs left to spare.

But Kim Garth responded with 3-37, leg spinner Alana King claiming 4-25 – including first-ball dismissals for Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Ecclestone – as England crumpled under pressure.

England let down by batting again

Australia made a fast start against England’s seam attack, captain Alyssa Healy making 29 in 16 balls before edging Lauren Bell to Jones behind the stumps.

The introduction of England’s spinners dried up the runs as wickets began to fall.

Ecclestone struck with her second ball as Phoebe Litchfield misjudged a sweep and Beth Mooney suffered a similar fate, the first of five wickets for 22 runs – Alice Capsey picking up 3-22, including the wicket of Ellyse Perry for 60.

Ecclestone went one better, grabbing her fourth before Bell (2-25) returned to wrap things up by bowling former Ireland international Garth as Australia were bowled out in the 45th over.

Garth struck early blows in England’s reply, dismissing openers Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier to leave the tourists at 27-2.

Captain Knight (18) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (35) steadied the ship, but again the introduction of spin sparked a change in fortunes, Gardner and King removing them and Wyatt-Hodge to leave England 84-5.

Capsey rode her luck as England came back into contention, an inside edge on review saving her from becoming Garth’s third victim, but she fell in the seamer’s next over and King completed her spell with the wickets of Charlie Dean and Ecclestone in successive balls.

Jones provided some resistance, finishing unbeaten on 47 from 103, but was left with too much to do alongside the tail as the required rate mounted.

Lauren Filer was run out before Megan Schutt bowled Bell to spark jubilant celebrations for the home side.

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: 11.05pm, Thursday January 16 – Ninja Stadium, Hobart
• 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