Australia retained the Ashes after beating England in the opening T20 game but could be without captain Alyssa Healy for the remaining matches

The Ashes will stay in Australia after a fourth victory in a row over England but the news was not all good for the home side with three games to go.

Australia has retained the Ashes after a batting blitz from Beth Mooney in a run-filled opening T20 undeterred by losing captain Alyssa Healy to what could be a series-ending foot issue and without star all-rounder Ash Gardner.

Just hours after the skipper was ruled out with her significant foot injury, and the loss of last-start century maker Gardner to a calf injury, the home team continued its eight days of domination over a demoralised England outfit with a 57-run win to keep hold of the trophy which has been Australia’s since 2015.

The Ashes only began last Sunday and already England’s only remaining hope is to draw the series across the final three matches, concluding with the day-night Test at the MCG, punished by Australia’s depth and undone by their own poor fielding.

Great knock this from Beth Mooney 👏

It's her 24th T20I half-century #Ashespic.twitter.com/KqA848ctw9

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 20, 2025

Mooney’s blast in the absence of her regular opening partner, who was replaced by boom youngster Georgia Voll, netted the left-hander 75 runs off just 51 balls as the anchor of Australia’s monster innings of 7-198.

Dropped twice, Mooney smashed 11 fours and with some late big-hitting from stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath, who made 26 off just nine balls, the home team put paid to suggestions T20 was the best format for the visitors.

Undaunted by the task English batter Sophia Dunkley, unsighted in the ODI series, put Australia under immense pressure after the visitors lost two wickets in the opening two overs what would have been the equal second-highest run chase in women’s T20 International history.

Dunkley whacked 59 off just 34 balls, including six fours and four sixes, giving her ailing team hope.

Dunkley took down Kim Garth for three sixes in an over and was making the 10 runs an over required seem like a walk in the park with captain Heather Knight.

Australia has won all four Ashes contests against England. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

But after Alana King, brought back for her first T2o since 2023 after taking 13 wickets in the ODI, removed Knight, McGrath, who had bowled just a single ball in her previous five internationals, brought herself in to the attack.

She bowled Dunkley, with the score on 110, killing off the English challenge, all out for 141, Georgia Warehman snaring 3-25, leaving the tourists down 8-0 in a now unwinnable series.

That hope remains alive though with questions over both Healy and Gardner, who broke through for her maiden international hundred in Hobart Friday, to a “low grade” calf issue.

Gardner could return for the second of third T20, with the day-night Test to round on the contest.

But 34-year-old Healy, who had an injury interrupted end to 2024 and entered the Ashes off the back of a knee injury, is in significant doubt for a return at all as the rapid-fire series takes its toll after developing “mid-foot soreness” on the same side as her previous plantar fascia injury.

“Alyssa has developed mid-foot soreness on the same side as her previous plantar fascia injury following the ODI series,” a team statement pre-game said.

Alyssa Healy could be out of the Ashes. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“She is currently being managed in a boot and will not be available for this evening’s game. Cricket Australia’s medical team is consulting with specialists to develop an appropriate management plan over the coming days.”

The injuries delayed selectors being able to name the squad for the historic pink-ball Test, which begins on January 30, as the rapid-fire nature of the series became problematic.

All seven games are being played across just 18 days, three formats and in six cities.

Head selector Shawn Flegler said they wouldn’t “rush” a decision on Healy, seeking specialist advice before ruling her in or out of the Test.

Healy is “flat” with her Ashes campaign in doubt but Ash Gardner could return for the next T20 against England with the “well-oiled machine” determined to seize every remaining point on offer having retained the trophy in just eight days.

Selectors weren’t rushing to rule Healy out of the series, seeking more information and waiting to see how her foot injury responds to treatment, and opener Beth Mooney, who replaced her skipper behind the stumps in the series-sealing T20 win on Monday, said she “wouldn’t be able to walk” if she had to wear the gloves in the Test match to come.

“As you can imagine, she’s pretty flat,” Mooney, who blasted a matchwinning 75 as Australia retained the Ashes with three games to go in the multi-format series, said of Healy.

“She doesn’t want to miss any games for Australia, and unfortunately for her, she’s missed a few in the last few months.

Beth Mooney hits hard down the ground against England. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

“We’ll put our arm around her, wait and see what the SSSM staff say and what the prognosis is.

“Obviously when she’s been out, I’ve been able to step into that role and got some good feedback along the way.

“I’m just happy to do what’s required of the team. If we get to the Test and that’s the case, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.

“She’s a key member of our playing group, both on and off the field, and we know what impact she can have to the outcome of the results on the field.”

Mooney said she expected Gardner, who injured her calf, could possibly play in the second T20 in Canberra on Thursday.

“From all reports she (Gardner) is looking all right,” she said.

“Obviously there’s a couple of days now between this game and Canberra so we’ll have an opportunity to reassess with her and look at how she’s feeling.

“I’d say it was pretty precautionary, just with what’s ahead in the rest of the series with two more T20s and a Test match. She’s obviously disappointed she didn’t play tonight but looking long-term I think there’s some big games to come.”

Originally published as Australia retained the Ashes after beating England in the opening T20 game but could be without captain Alyssa Healy for the remaining matches