After Australia retained the Women’s Ashes and set their sights on a series whitewash, Sophia Dunkley declared England’s dressing room “back Heather [Knight] 100 per cent” to lead the group.

It has taken just nine days for Australia's cricketers to retain the Women’s Ashes. The Australians won a fourth straight game in the multi-format series with a 57-run victory in the first of the three T20s between the rivals.

Australia retained the Women's Ashes with three matches to spare following their 57-run victory over England in the opening Twenty20 international in Sydney on Monday.

Australia can retain the Women's Ashes with a win in the first T20 against England, but will have to do it without Alyssa Healy and Ash Gardner after the superstar pair suffered injuries. Follow live.

Sophia Dunkley took the fight to the Australians, but it was not enough to prevent England succumbing to defeat in the Women’s Ashes at the earliest opportunity.

Australia captain Alyssa Healy has been ruled out of the first T20I at the SCG and is in doubt for the remainder of the Ashes series after developing foot soreness on the same side as the injury she sustained at last year's T20 World Cup It will mean that Australia will likely be led by Tahlia McGrath as they aim to go 8-0 up and retain the Ashes in Sydney while the top-order vacancy could be filled by either Grace Harris or the uncapped Georgia Voll.