Record ton ends 'frustration' for Lanning

Australia, having already retained the trophy after the only Test in Taunton ended in a draw, extended their lead to 10-2 in the multi-format series, as they restricted England to 133/9 in their chase of 227. Lanning stood out with the bat, registering the highest individual score in women's T20I cricket, surpassing the previous best of 126 which she had jointly held with the Netherlands' Sterre Kallis.

However, the skipper played down her achievement, insisting that the team's overall effort at Chelmsford – a venue that has been England's stronghold – satisfied her more. "I didn’t even think about that," Lanning said about the record. "I was just really pleased and proud of the group that we were able to win at such a ground, 'the fortress'. To come here and play so well was great."

Lanning's 63-ball stay at the crease was studded with 17 fours and seven sixes. Having already managed two fifty-plus scores on the tour earlier, she said the switch to the T20 format allowed her to kick on and play with more freedom.

"I was hoping it was [coming], I feel like I was hitting ball reasonably well without being able to play really freely ... I felt like if I stuck at it long enough, it would happen,” she said. "That's what T20 does, it allows you to play freely. Once you get a few away it can roll on pretty quick.

"It was nice to be able to cash in ... I was a bit frustrated at getting starts and getting out all the time, so I was keen to keep the foot down today and take the opportunity. Hopefully it’s a kick-starter. It was just nice to contribute to a win."

Australia have won four of the five games on the tour so far, having comprehensively outplayed their opponents. The skipper, though, is in no mood to be complacent.

"We came here to win the Ashes outright. To do it early on in the series is a nice bonus, but I think we've been playing some good cricket throughout. I think it has been closer than what the scoreboard suggests, but I just think we've been able to win.

"We don't want to give away the big key moments in games and the momentum so that we're keen to keep going. And see if we still feel like we can improve on some of the areas as well, so that's really exciting."

Reflecting on her team's impressive performance over the last 18 months, Lanning cited the willingness to keep getting better as the reason for their overall success.

"We strive for perfection. We don't get it. But we want us to get as close to it as we can. So, as I said, we can probably improve a little bit in the field.

"We want to keep getting better and I think that's why we've been able to have some success in the last 18 months. That is the real drive and I think everyone in the group has got that."