Edwards revels in Ashes glory

Captain Charlotte Edwards was left to reflect on one of the proudest moments in her long career as England regained the Women's Ashes at the Ageas Bowl.

Lydia Greenway produced an Ashes-winning innings to remember, hitting an unbeaten 80 from 64 balls, to secure victory in the second NatWest Twenty20 international by five wickets.

It meant England moved into an unassailable 10-4 lead in the multi-format series, with the final game to spare at Chester-le-Street on Saturday.

That has seemed an unlikely scenario only a week ago when England trailed 4-2 after the one-off Test was drawn before Australia - the world champions in the limited overs formats - won the first one-day international at Lord's.

"It's possibly one of my proudest moments in cricket," Edwards, who made her England debut in 1996, said.

"After the winter we had, a disappointing winter, to come back in the way we have done and beat the world champions on home soil as convincing as we have done is really pleasing for us.

"I'm incredibly proud of all of the team and the way that they have bounced back."

Greenway described her innings - the highest by an England player in women's Twenty20 internationals - as the best of her career.

"Yes. I think probably it is," she said.

"As Charlotte said under the circumstances - the Ashes were there to be won and we didn't want to leave it until Durham.

"It's great to have contributed."

Australia captain Jodie Fields, who gave Greenway a life on 10 when she missed a stumping, admitted defeat was soured further after the men's side lost their Ashes series this summer.

"I'm pretty gutted to sit here and have lost the Ashes particularly after the men lost," she said.

"We saw it as our responsibility to work hard to bring it home and now both Australian teams will go home without the Ashes."