England are aiming for a fresh start in Melbourne after suffering a 0-3 defeat to Australia in the first Ashes ODI in Sydney on Sunday. Having posted a below-par total of 204, with their innings wrapped up in just 44 overs, England struggled against some smart Australian bowling, especially Ashleigh Gardner, who took 3 for 19. The hosts, led by Gardner and Alyssa Healy, chased down the target with ease, finishing the game with 67 balls to spare. Lauren Bell, the England seamer who took 1 for 25 in nine economical overs, felt her team deserved a lot of credit for making Australia's chase slightly more challenging than they would have expected.
Smith made a memorable return to T20 cricket and the Big Bash League, hitting his third Big Bash League century for Sydney Sixers against Perth Scorchers at his home ground, Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Smith tonked 10 fours and seven sixes in his 64-ball knock of 121 runs and struck at 189.06. In just 32 innings, he has levelled Ben McDermott's record of most centuries in the history of competition.