Ashleigh Gardner's all-round brilliance and Alyssa Healy's composed knock guided Australia to a commanding four-wicket win over England in the Women's Ashes opener, setting an early tone for their dominance in the multi-format series.

Alyssa Healy will tell Australia to ensure they throw the first punch in the Ashes, knowing an early blow could prove hard to overcome in a congested series.

Australia have made a winning start to the Womens Ashes by beating England by four wickets in the opening one-day international in Sydney.

The Women’s Ashes kicks off at North Sydney on Sunday with Australia looking to retain the trophy on home soil.

Henry Moeran is alongside England World Cup winner Alex Hartley & BBC Sport cricket writer Ffion Wynne for reaction to England’s defeat to Australia in the first ODI of the Women’s Ashes in Sydney. They discuss the game being closer than the scorecard suggests, England not taking their chances, and Australia’s Alana King also reacts to the result.

There is a striking difference between England’s and Australia’s XI – and that difference told as the hosts were the first to put points on the board in the 2025 Women’s Ashes when winning the opening one-day international by four wickets in Sydney.

Alyssa Healy has won the toss and chose to bowl first in the Ashes opener against England, with Australia's captain fit to play the ODI as a wicketkeeper.