England Ladies take step towards Ashes victory
England's women showed the men how it should be done by triumphing in Australia.
While Alastair Cook and Co were being put to the sword by Australia in the first game of the one-day series, Charlotte Edwards' side took a huge step towards winning the Ashes.
Edwards' troops netted six valuable points in their bid to retain the trophy with a 61-run success in their only Test against the Aussies.
Three one-day international meetings and three Twenty20 games remain, with two points available for a win for each game.
Holders England need only win two of the six games to retain the trophy while Australia are tasked with winning five games from six.
Set a target of 185 to win, Australia were all out for 123 with Kate Cross and Anya Shrubsole each taking three wickets for England at the WACA.
England captain Edwards had earlier passed the half-century (56) before becoming one of five victims for Australian bowler Ellyse Perry, while Jenny Gunn made 44.
Following the victory in Perth Edwards said: "The last four days have been a rollercoaster, but I'm really proud of the girls. This is not the Ashes won, we've got to win more games now.
"We had some great performance, I'm so proud of them. We have to keep working hard and hopefully will take the Ashes home."
The next clash is an ODI at the MCG in Melbourne on Sunday.
In contrast the men were once again second best to the rampant Aussies as they lost by six wickets in Melbourne.
Cook's miserable tour with the bat continued as he fell for just four in the first over of the day.
Gary Ballance (79) and Eoin Morgan (50) led the way as England posted 269-7 in 50 overs.
That total proved well within Australia's grasp with Aaron Finch (121) and David Warner (65) setting the platform for victory with a 163-run opening stand.
