Women's Ashes: Australia thrash England after Tahlia McGrath's brilliance

Tahlia McGrath is yet to be dismissed in four T20s for Australia

England were thrashed in the opening match of the Women's Ashes as Tahlia McGrath's outstanding all-round performance fired Australia to a nine-wicket win in the first T20.

She shared a brutal 144-run stand with captain Meg Lanning, who finished with 64 from 44 balls, to help Australia register their highest chase in T20s.

England had posted a seemingly threatening 169-4 from their 20 overs, led by 70 from Danni Wyatt.

A ragged bowling and fielding display cost England, who were unable to maintain any pressure on the brilliant McGrath and Lanning.

Victory gives Australia two points in the multi-format series, with the second of three T20s taking place at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

No Perry, no problem for Australia

That Australia were able to drop Ellyse Perry, an icon of Australian cricket, and still register such a crushing victory shows how much depth they have.

While Perry has struggled for consistency in T20s in recent times, McGrath excelled in Australia's series against India and offers more power with the bat.

Her batting was astonishing; she struck 13 fours and one six, constantly finding gaps in the field and putting the pressure on England's fielders, who wilted.

With Lanning, opening in place of the injured Beth Mooney, alongside her and chipping away at the run-rate, McGrath had licence to hit out.

She particularly targeted leg-spinner Sarah Glenn, stepping forward and driving strongly as Glenn's three overs disappeared for 39.

Nat Sciver and Freya Davies were also expensive, with McGrath pulling Davies handsomely into the stands for her sole six, and only Sophie Ecclestone came close to finding the control England's bowlers needed.

When Heather Knight brought herself on to bowl towards the end of the chase, McGrath hit three fours in three balls, simply underlining Australia's dominance in what could have been a tricky chase.

She had earlier impressed with the ball, including dismissing set batters Sciver and Danni Wyatt in the space of three balls to check England's progress from 141-1.

Her pace and accuracy - Sciver and Wyatt fell to near-identical yorkers - will bode well for Australia as the series progresses.

More to follow.