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England‘s underwhelming performance continued as they suffered a disappointing 72-run loss to Australia in the third and final T20I at the Adelaide Oval. The defeat marked the end of a series that saw England fail to secure a single win, leaving them with a 3-0 loss in the T20I leg and a subsequent 12-0 point deficit in the Women’s Ashes 2025.
Alastair Cook highlights England’s struggle
Former England cricketer Alastair Cook did not hold back in his assessment of England’s performance. He stated that the Women’s Ashes series reflects the true current strengths of the two teams. “This series has shown the reality of where the two sides are,” Cook said on TNT sports.
The left-handed batter commented on England’s loss to Australia, saying it marked rock bottom, offering the opportunity to rebuild and improve. He noted that England lagged behind Australia by about 20% in all aspects – batting, bowling and fielding.
“But the best thing about when you go down to 5-0 or a clean sweep is that you’re at the bottom, and the only way is up. Ultimately, England are about 20% behind Australia at everything – batting, bowling, fielding, athleticism, the lot,” he added.
Also READ: Women’s Ashes 2025: Australia crushes England in 3rd T20I and extends lead to 12-0
Australia’s dominance
Australia once again showcased why they are the top-ranked team in both ODI and T20I formats.
In the final T20I, they posted a formidable 162 for 5, powered by Beth Mooney’s scintillating 94 off 63 balls, featuring 10 boundaries. Mooney’s consistent performances throughout the series earned her the Player of the Series award, amassing an impressive 213 runs across three innings.
In response, England faltered under pressure, managing only 90 runs before being bowled out. Georgia Wareham spearheaded the Australian bowling attack, claiming three wickets and finishing as the leading wicket-taker of the T20I series with six scalps.
Day-Night Test match left, but the series is decided
The only remaining match, a Day-Night Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, holds little weight in the context of the series outcome. England’s dismal performance has not only cost them the series but has also exposed areas needing significant improvement. The upcoming Test match presents an opportunity for redemption, albeit a small one, as they aim to salvage pride in a series dominated by their Australian counterparts.
Also READ: ICC announces Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2024; Smriti Mandhana and two other Indian players feature in the prestigious XI
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
