England Women won the final match of the Vitality Women’s IT20 series and the Women’s Ashes with a spirited effort at Bristol.
Debutant off-spinner Mady Villiers was the star of the day – taking 2-20 and claiming the big wickets of Alyssa Healy and Ashleigh Gardner.
England had earlier set 139-5 from their 20 overs, with the Yorkshire pair of Lauren Winfield and Katherine Brunt putting on 55 for the sixth wicket.
Brunt also took three wickets and was voted Player of the Match.
It means the Women’s Ashes ends 12-4 to the visitors, this 17-run victory denying Australia an unbeaten series.
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Heather Knight: “It’s nice to end with a win. The feeling is a bit bittersweet because obviously the series hasn’t gone our way.
“It’s been a tough few weeks but good to end on a high, and I’m chuffed for Katherine, Sophie and Loz in particular – who were excellent today.
“Mady was outstanding, and took to international cricket like a duck to water.
“Obviously disappointed to not regain the Ashes but I think that win – given the circumstances – does show there’s a lot of fight and spirit in this team.”