Australia’s disappointing women’s Ashes campaign ended in a fifth straight defeat to England in the final match of the series on Saturday.

Having already relinquished the Ashes title at Southampton on Thursday, Australia fell to a seven-wicket defeat in a low-scoring Twenty20 match at Chester-le-Street.

The result meant England won the point-based, multi-format series 12-4.

After the opening and only Test match was drawn, Australia took the early advantage by winning the first of three one-day matches.

But England were dominant from then, winning two ODIs and sweeping the three-match T20 series.

Australia lost the title they won in 2010-11 but will get a chance to regain it in another Ashes series during the Australian summer.

Jodie Fields’ side did well to make a game of it on Saturday after being restricted to a meagre 7-91 from their 20 overs.

The visitors gave themselves hope with some early wickets.

Sarah Coyte (2-9) had Heather Knight caught behind in the third ball of England’s innings before also dismissing Sarah Taylor in her next over.

Holly Ferling (1-18) then captured the prized wicket of England captain Charlotte Edwards (10) to have the hosts at 3-14.

But Australia couldn’t keep the momentum going, with Natalie Sciver (37 not out) and Lydia Greenway (25 not out) steering England to victory with 22 balls to spare.

Earlier, Meg Lanning – Australia’s best performer with the bat this series – top scored with 32 while captain Jodie Fields (14) and opener Alyssa Healy (10) were the only others to reach double figures.

Dual international Ellyse Perry’s disappointing series ended with a third-ball duck while she again went wicketless to finish with a bowling average of 126.00 for the series.

Danielle Hazel (2-20) was England’s best with the ball.