Women's Ashes 2025: England defeated in second ODI in Melbourne

England Women suffered a 21-run defeat in a nail-biting second ODI Ashes encounter against Australia at the Junction Oval, Melbourne.

England, who won the toss and elected to field, bowled Australia out for 180 inside 45 overs, with spinner Sophie Ecclestone taking 4-35 and Alice Capsey impressing with 3-22.

The hosts lost their last eight wickets for just 49 runs after Capsey removed Ellyse Perry for an impressive 60.

In reply, England were down two early, with Kim Garth removing both Maia Bouchier (17) and Tammy Beaumont (3) in the powerplay.

Leg spinner Alana King halted England’s run-chase, finishing with four for 25.

STEADYING THE SHIP

Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt steadied the ship for England before King, Ash Gardner and Garth took key wickets to wrestle momentum back for Australia.

Lauren Bell and Amy Jones provided some resistance for the 10th wicket, but Megan Schutt picked up her first wicket of the series to secure the win for Australia.

The result means Australia takes a 4-0 lead in the series and the two teams meet in the final ODI in Hobart with two more points up for grabs on Friday 17 January.

Alice Capsey’s post-match media conference is available here.

2025 Women’s Ashes schedule (UK dates and times)

CommBank Women’s Ashes ODI Series

11 January: North Sydney Oval, Sydney – Australia won by four wickets

13 January: Junction Oval, Melbourne - Australia won by 21 runs

16 January: Bellerive Oval, Hobart (11:05pm UK time)

CommBank Women’s Ashes IT20 Series

20 January: SCG, Sydney (8:40am UK time)

23 January: Manuka Oval, Canberra (8:40am UK time)

25 January: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (8:10am UK time)

CommBank Women’s Ashes Test Match

30 January-2 February: MCG, Melbourne (3:30am UK time)