Australia took lead the Women’s Ashes as England subsided to a 27-run defeat in the first One Day International in Canberra on Thursday. Chasing a below-par 206, the tourists collapsed in a disappointing batting performance to be bowled out for 178 in 45 overs. They were 10-2 when captain Heather Knight was out lbw for a first-ball duck and, hurt by regular dismissals, never really took control of their chase. Amy Jones was controversially given out caught off a waist-high full toss for 16 and the tourists slipped further to 103-6 when Nat Sciver was caught and bowled by 18-year-old seamer Darcie Brown for 45.
