Despite Australia already clinching the series and retaining the Ashes, England have kept the Twenty20 aspect of the series alive, with a 40-run win in Canberra on Sunday.
Australia won the opening T20 of the three-match series last week, ensuring the hosts retained the urn and took a 1-0 series lead following the ODIs and Test match. But England bit back on Sunday, with a comprehensive victory to square the ledger.
The visitors reached 6-152 after 20 overs, thanks to important knocks from Natalie Sciver (40), Sarah Taylor (30) and Katherine Brunt (32 not out).
On what looked to be a good batting wicket, Australia started well, with Alyssa Healy hitting 24 runs from just 21 balls at the top of the order as the hosts looked to make light work of what looked like a target well within reach.
Healy's opening partner Beth Mooney (17 from 16 balls) also took to the English attack early. However, once Healy fell in the eighth over to make it 3-49, the Aussies suffered a severe collapse.
Other than the two openers, only one player (Delissa Kimmince) scored over 15, as Australia were bowled out for 112 in the 18th over.
Jenny Gunn was the chief destroyer fro England, finishing with figures of 4-13 from her three overs.
The third and final Twenty20 is at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Tuesday.
