Australia women bring Ashes home

Australia have squared the ledger for the summer, wining the one-off women's Ashes Test on Tuesday by seven wickets at the Bankstown Oval in Sydney.

On the back of a 125-run partnership between number three Sarah Elliot (81 not out) and captain Alex Blackwell (74), Australia chased down the required target of 198 for the loss of just three wickets.

Post-match, Blackwell said she was very proud of her team and the occasion would be one they all remember for a long time.

"It's just a great feeling to bring the Ashes home again and I am so proud of the team; it's been a great four days and we'll all remember this for a long time. I was part of the team that lost the Ashes back in 2005 for the first time in 40 years so to be captain of this team to win them back again is a great feeling and a tremendous honour.

"England has played well all series and this match could easily have gone either way but I'm very proud of the team for the way they went about it," said Blackwell.

Rene Farrell's spell of 5-15 from 12 overs (including a hat-trick) on day three turned the match on its head after the hosts had declared 48-runs behind England after the first innings. She collected the Player of the match award for her efforts.

"She bowled superbly and that spell yesterday really did take the momentum away from England. She had the ball swinging around and just bowled to plan brilliantly and that definitely played a big part in our win and she duly deserved the award for player of the match," added Blackwell.

Australia captain Blackwell praised the effort of Elliott.

"It was great batting out there with Sticksy (Elliott); we were able to build a great partnership and it was just nice to be able to play such a good part in the win. Sarah has been around the team for a long time now and it was great to see her hit the winning runs. This is just a great feeling and I'm just so happy to be able to bring the Ashes home," she said.