by Our Sports Desk

ENGLAND will have to come from behind if they are to retain the Women’s Ashes after Australia cruised to victory in the the last of the three-match one-day internationals in Worcester by 89 runs.

Meg Lanning showed her class for the second successive match, following a century in Australia’s series-levelling win in Bristol on Thursday by defying a slow New Road pitch to make 85 from 89 balls — and making England pay for fluffing a run out chance when she was still in single figures.

England captain Charlotte Edwards said afterwards that it was mistakes like that which proved to be their downfall.

“We can’t drop and miss chances off world-class players,” she said. “The opening bowlers set the tone but we haven’t carried it on, didn’t take our chances and we’ve not batted well enough. I don’t think the toss made any difference. “Hopefully we can come back well in the Test — but we’re going to have to play a lot better than we did in these last two games.”

Player of the match, and series, Ellyse Perry provided crucial support with 67 from 58 balls, continuing her consistent series with the bat, as Australia posted a total of 241 for seven — then dealt a huge double blow to England’s run chase by dismissing Edwards and Sarah Taylor in her first two overs.

“It’s been a wonderful series, hugely competitive across the three games and really nice to come away with the points today,” said Perry. “Charlotte and Sarah are huge threats for them but I thought we were clinical as a bowling unit and batted well too. We played some great cricket across the three games.”

The home team never really recovered, succumbing tamely to 152 all out and a defeat that leaves them 4-2 down in the multi-format Ashes — although there are 10 points still to play for, starting with the Test at Canterbury next week.

Australia captain Meg Lanning was pleased with her side’s performance and is looking forward to the upcoming Test. She said: “Our natural style is being really aggressive, we were a bit timid in the first game but the whole team has contributed in the last two games. “Our bowlers did a fantastic job, Ellyse set the tone with two wickets up front and every other bowler chipped in. 

“Any Test match we play gets the players excited, hopefully we can put on a good show. It’s important to celebrate victory — we’ll celebrate a little but we’ll be ready to go when the Test comes along.”

The win also lifts Australia five points clear at the top of the ICC Women’s World Championship and seven ahead of England who remain in fourth — with only the top four teams securing automatic qualification to the 2017 World Cup.