ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 22: Meg Lanning of Australia looks on after the Women's Twenty20 International match between the Australia Southern Stars and the New Zealand White Ferns at Adelaide Oval on February 22, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)

In a fight for top place, Australia has fallen just short against the old-enemy England.

Batting second, the Aussies needed 260 to win, however could only manage 256 from their 50 overs.

Heather Knight won the toss for England and decided her side would have a bat. Things didn't start off well, with Lauren Winfield being removed for just one by Megan Schutt.

Tammy Beaumont (49) and Sarah Taylor (35) steadied the ship before the latter was bowled by Kristen Beams.

Knight went almost as quickly as she arrived, and just like that England found themselves in a spot of bother at 3/56. However, there innings was once again resurrected by Beaumont, this time with the assistance of Natalie Sciver (29).

Despite no player going on to make a big score, the middle order were all able to put in solid cameos. Katherine Bunt's 45 not out got her side to 259.

Elyse Villani took 3/42 for Australia, however had an economy rate of 8.4. Kristen Beams was also good with 2/44 from nine overs.

Australia appeared confident heading into their run chase, with England's total being very achievable.

Beth Mooney (31) and Nicole Bolton (26) opened with a fifty run partnership before both were removed. That bought superstars Ellyse Perry and Meg Lanning to the crease.

The pair appeared to be cruising, taking the total to above 100. Even when Lanning was removed for 40, the Southern Stars were in a strong position of 3/129 with just under 20 overs to spare.

However the scoring stalled and wickets began to fall at regular intervals. When Perry was removed for 70 off 86 balls it seemed the game was out of reach.

A quick flurry from a number of lower order batters meant that the Aussies needed 16 runs to win off the final over.

They did manage 12 runs off the of the Jenny Gunn over however it was not enough to get them over the line.

It is the Southern Stars first loss of the tournament, and they now sit in second place due to net run rate. The top four countries will face off in the semi-finals with the winners playing for the trophy.