Australia hold the women's Ashes for the first time in six years after the debutant Sarah Elliott and the captain Alex Blackwell held their nerve to secure a seven-wicket victory. Elliott, the No.3, played the ideal anchor role with a committed 81 not out, while Blackwell increased her pace once she was set and finished with 74.
England controlled the first three days of the contest, but Australia's top order stood up to reach 3 for 198 at the end of a warm day at Bankstown Oval. Elliott and Blackwell delivered the match-winning stand of 125, which ultimately allowed Australia to lift the trophy they handed over to England way back in 2005.
Australia, who resumed at 1 for 29 on the final day, lost the opener Shelley Nitschke for 20 when she was lbw to Isa Guha in the morning. Nitschke had put on 46 with Elliott before she was joined by Blackwell for the game's crucial phase.
It was tough going before lunch, with only 48 runs added in the first session, but Elliott and Blackwell were able to lift the rate after the break. By tea they required 30 for victory and the only hiccup came when Blackwell was trapped in front by Katherine Brunt with the second new ball. Elliott, who struck one four in her 262-ball marathon, stayed until the end, hitting the winning run with a single to fine leg.
Australia stormed back into the game on the third day when Rene Farrell, the Player of the Match, captured 5 for 23 and helped dismiss the tourists for 149. The one-off Test victory follows England's 4-1 success in the Twenty20 series.
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