England started the Women's Ashes by saying they are "not far away" from catching Australia, but it is time to accept the gulf is only getting bigger, writes Ffion Wynne.

Australia beat England by 57 runs in the first T20 to take an 8-0 lead and retain the Women's Ashes at the earliest opportunity.

Australia want to inflict more misery on England and seal a stunning series whitewash after retaining the Women’s Ashes at the earliest possible opportunity. The hosts’ 57-run victory in the first T20 at the Sydney Cricket Ground saw Australia take an unassailable 8-0 lead in the multi-format series.

Women have always been involved in the Ashes. After all, the small terracotta-coloured urn that is permanently held at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London was created by two women and one man in 1882.