Stand-in captain of the Australian women's cricket team, Meg Lanning said that her team still has plenty to play for in the final two Twenty20 matches against England despite suffering a second Ashes series defeat within six months.
England retained the urn after mowing down the home side's 3-150 to win by nine wickets with 13 balls spare in the first of the T20 at Blundstone Arena despite an impressive individual effort from Lanning (78 not out from 54 balls).
According to News.com.au, England captain Charlotte Edwards cracked the highest T20 score for her country with an unbeaten 59-ball 92, with Sarah Taylor (50 not out from 37 balls) providing the perfect foil in an unbroken second wicket stand of 114.
It was the fourth highest successful run chase in international women's Twenty20 history, while the winning partnership was the second highest ever for the second wicket in the format.
Although the Southern Stars fought back gallantly to win the last two 50-over contests despite losing the Test and opening ODI, they could not carry the momentum into the first of three T20s and Lanning, who has filled in for the injured Jodie Fields, said that they are shattered at losing the Ashes.
However, Lanning also said that the last two T20 s are important for them as they have a World Cup coming up soon, adding that they want to keep some good form going and put together a game where they impress with both batting and bowling.
Lanning further said that she believes that Australia can put some pressure on England and keep the series alive.