Australia got off to a winning start in the Women's Ashes by beating England by four wickets in the first one-day international in Sydney.
A win for the home team and the home team means that they take the first two points in the multi-format series.
England were bowled out for 203 as Australian all-rounder Ash Gardner took 3-19 with the ball followed by 42 not out.
Sent in to bat first, England's Maia Bouchier was an early victim before captain Heather Knight set a strong pace at the crease.
Knight combined with Tammy Beaumont and later Nat Sciver-Brunt to put some pressure on the Aussies before Gardner dismissed her for 39 off just 48 balls.
With England three for 92 after Knight's exit, the quick loss of Sciver-Brunt threatened to unsettle the middle order, but a combined 69 runs from Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Amy Jones kept alive hopes of setting up a competitive score.
Australia's Annabel Sutherland celebrates scoring England's Tammy Beaumont wicket
However, the tail was unable to match Australia's imposing bowling attack as the tourists lost four of their last five wickets by single figures, eventually setting the hosts a total of 204 to win.
Although England managed to claim the quick scalp of Australian opener Phoebe Lichfield, a dominant performance from captain Alyssa Healey put the visitors on the back foot.
Healey found the boundary 11 times before being dismissed by Charlie Dean for 70, but the damage was done. Gardner then posted a quick 42 to get the hosts over the line.
England's Lauren Bell celebrates with her teammates after taking the wicket of Australia's Ellyse Perry
Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Filer took two wickets each for England and Lauren Bell one, but Gardner finished with three wickets in a man-of-the-match performance.
England are without experienced seamer Kate Cross with a back injury and the 33-year-old has already missed the one-off Test against South Africa after suffering a back spasm.
The second ODI takes place on Monday in Melbourne from 23.05 (UK), with two more points on offer for the winner of the second match.
Women's Ashes 2025 Schedule
All UK and Ireland dates and times
- First ODI: Saturday 11th January – North Sydney Oval – Australia won by four wickets
- Second ODI: 23.05, Monday, January 13 – Junction Oval, Melbourne
- Third ODI: 23.05, Thursday 16 January – Ninja Stadium, Hobart
- First T20I: 8.40am, Monday, January 20 – Sydney Cricket Ground
- Second T20I: 8.40am, Thursday, January 23 – Manuka Oval, Canberra
- Third T20I: 8.10am, Saturday, January 25 – Adelaide Oval
- Test: 3.30am, Thursday 30 January – Sunday 2 February – MCG, Melbourne