England beat Australia by three runs in a thrilling Twenty20 clash on Wednesday to keep their Women’s Ashes hopes alive. 

The home side scored 186-9 in their 20 overs at The Oval against world champions Australia, with Danni Wyatt hitting a brilliant 76 from 46 balls. Captain Alyssa Healy hit 37 and Ellyse Perry smashed 51 not out as the visitors gave England a scare, with Georgia Wareham putting up a brave fight at the death with a flurry of big hits. Australia needed an unlikely 20 to win from the final over and fell agonisingly short on 183-8, despite Perry’s two sixes from the last two balls.