The recently-concluded first T20I of the Women’s Ashes is a high-scoring affair. England won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). However, England’s poor fielding and Australia’s good efforts with the bat meant that the home side, AUS amassed 198/7. For the Green Brigade, Beth Mooney (75) was the only batter to score a fifty.
In reply, the Three Lions had a poor start as they lost the wickets of Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge. Both batters scored a duck. However, Sophia Dunkley, who came to bat at number three, hit a 24-ball fifty. She completed the landmark in the 10th over of the second innings. The right-hander hit five fours and four sixes to reach the landmark.
A 24-ball fifty for Sophia Dunkley 🔥#women #cricket #AUSvENG #Ashes #SophiaDunkley #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/wTdpl8YcdD
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) January 20, 2025
The quick fifty for England Women’s in T20Is was hit by Alice Capsey (21 balls vs Ireland in 2023). Notably, Dunkley replaced Capsey for the ongoing match in the playing XI.
Fastest fifty by England Women in T20I
Here’s the data in a table format:
| Player | Balls Faced | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| Alice Capsey | 21 | IRE | Paarl | 2023 |
| Danni Wyatt | 24 | IND | Mumbai(BS) | 2018 |
| Nat Sciver-Brunt | 24 | IND | Northampton | 2021 |
| Bryony Smith | 24 | IRE | Dublin | 2024 |
| Sophia Dunkley | 24 | AUS | Sydney | 2025 |
Sophia Dunkley’s efforts goes in vain
Despite Dunkley’s efforts, the 2009 T20 World Cup winners fell short by 57 runs in the first T20I against Australia. They were bowled out for 141 runs, chasing 199 runs to win. The team didn’t win a single match during the three-match ODI series and are now lagging behind as far as the Women’s Ashes are concerned. After losing ODI series 0-3, the European side is trailing by 0-1 in the three-match T20I series.
