England’s hopes of regaining the Women’s Ashes were dashed as defending champions Australia took an undisputed 8-0 lead with a 57-run victory in the inaugural T20 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Heather Knight’s side can still draw a draw with wins in their last two T20 matches and the one-off Test, but will be unable to win the trophy that has been in Australia’s hands since 2015 after being overwhelmed again.

England, who had been swept 3-0 in the previous ODI series and trailed 0-6 on points, were bowled out for 141 in the 16th over, equaling a record 199, with Sophia Dunkley’s 59 points from 30 balls in vain.

Dunkley’s dismissal – bowled by Talia McGrath to keep the score low for 89 in the 12th over – was a decisive blow for the visitors, who had earlier seen the opener Maya Buchier and Danny Wyatt-Hodge were bowled for ducks.

Australia plundered 198-7 after coming into the field, with Beth Mooney (75 off 51 balls) top-scoring and finishing third after being dismissed by Amy Jones in the 16th. 24 T20 International Top 50 players.

England were sloppy on the pitch – Lauren Bell blasted debutant Georgia Voll (21 off 11) in the 13th over before pinning her LBW Live, while Charlie Dean and Nat Sciver-Brunt also failed to sack Mooney in the 23rd, leaving each other with a catch – And looseness on the ball.

Sophie Ecclestone was the standout among the bowlers as she ended McGrath’s (26 off 9) cameo with figures of 2-39 from four matches. McGrath is captained by Alyssa Healy (sore foot) and Grace Harris (14 games).

The series will continue in Canberra on Thursday, with the T20 final in Adelaide on Saturday, followed by pink-ball Test matches at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground from January 30.

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Women’s Ashes – Results and Fixtures

All dates and times in the UK and Ireland

• First foreign direct investment: Saturday, January 11 – Australia wins by four wickets
• The second foreign direct investment: Monday 13th January – Australia won by 21 points
• The third overseas direct investment: Thursday, January 16 – Australia won by 86 runs
• First T20I: Monday 20 January – Australia wins
• Second T20I: Thursday 23 January (8.40am) – Canberra
• Third T20I: Saturday 25 January (8.10am) – Adelaide
• One-time test: Thursday 30 January to Sunday 2 February (3.30am) – Melbourne