The Women's Ashes trophy will remain in Australia's possession for the 10th consecutive year after England fell to a troubling 57-run defeat in the first T20 clash on Monday night.
Having lost the first three ODIs in the multi-format series, England could not afford anything other than victory against their Australian rivals at the SCG to keep their Ashes hopes alive.
With the result, Australia takes an unassailable 8-0 lead to retaining the trophy for a sixth-consecutive series.
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Australia celebrates winning game one of the women's Ashes T20 International series between against England. Jeremy Ng via Getty Images
England last defended the women's Ashes during its 2013–14 tour down under.
But the task left by the home side proved too strong as Beth Mooney led the nation through a dominant innings to leave the visitors with an unsettling 199-run chase.
The hosts were rocked by injuries in the lead-up to the match, with captain Alyssa Healy ruled out because of a lingering foot concern and all-rounder Ash Gardner sidelined with a low-grade calf injury.
Despite the pair's absence, T20I debutant Georgia Voll teamed up to open with Mooney and found 38 runs in the opening three overs.
Voll's time in the middle was extended on 13 because of a dropped catch by Lauren Bell, but the 21-year-old was removed the following over after being bowled lbw — the English seamer getting the last laugh.
Mooney continued to orchestrate momentum with the bat to collect 75 runs off 50 balls, while Phoebe Litchfield unveiled a dazzling reverse slog sweep to find the boundary for Australia's first six of its innings.
Litchfield went on to make 25 runs off 20 balls before she was run out by England skipper Heather Knight, who nailed a remarkable throw down the stumps.
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Bell copped the best of Mooney's masterclass performance as her four spells saw the Aussies pile on 39 runs, with just two wickets taken.
When Knight nailed her direct hit to remove Litchfield this prompted a minor collapse of 3-30, with all-rounders Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland stumped and caught at cow corner respectively.
From its 20 overs, Australia posted 7-198 which was helped along by several fielding and bowling errors from the English.
The visitors' unlucky run in defence seemingly translated into their attack as Maia Bouchier was sent packing with a second ball duck. Danni Wyatt-Hodge followed with a golden duck moments later.
Just as the pace began to pick up for England, Alana King made her return and bowled Nat Sciver-Brunt straight down the middle stump.
Sophia Dunkley was the best of the visitors with the bat, bringing up 59 runs from 30 balls.
Mooney, who also stood behind the stumps in Healy's absence, was named player of the match.
The second T20 match will be played on Thursday evening at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
