Aussies chasing history-making final T20 triumph

Australia are one win away from completing the most dominant performance in recent women's Ashes memory, with their sights set on maintaining their unbeaten run in Wednesday's final T20I in Bristol.

Since the introduction of the multi-format Ashes in 2013 no team has gone through undefeated, with the most lop-sided result to date the 12-4 result recorded by England in 2013, when Australia won a single ODI, and the Test was drawn, as the hosts dominated.

This Ashes was billed as the series that would determine the world's best all-round team, with the top two ranked nations facing off in three ODIs, one Test and three T20Is.

Heading into the series, wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy joked that her team would “go through the series undefeated” when asked to make a bold prediction for the month ahead.

Now, her flippant comment – made knowing full well how difficult such a result would be – is on track to become reality.

Australia won the three one-dayers by two wickets, four wickets and 194 runs respectively, before dominating each day of play of the Test only for time lost to rain ultimately standing in their way of a win.

Their unbeaten streak continued with a history-making 93-run win in the first T20I at Chelmsford, a venue England had previously never been beaten at, before Australia cruised to a seven-wicket win in the most recent 20-over game on Sunday in Hove.

"I know Alyssa Healy jokingly said that we could potentially go undefeated this series, but for it to actually be on the cards is something not only myself but a lot of the girls didn't think would unfold," Australia allrounder Jess Jonassen said on Tuesday.

"But we're really pleased with the cricket we've played.

"It would be really special, it's something we've spoken about in terms of finishing off series' well as a group.

"To be able to hopefully go through undefeated would be really special, there's been some quality sides over the years that have managed to do that, so to be one of those would be pretty special."

If Australia do win at Bristol's county ground on Friday, they won't be the first women's team to go through an English tour undefeated; the legendary Belinda Clark led sides in 1998 and 2001 that were unbeaten in Tests, ODIs and all tour matches.

However, this would be a first for the multi-format, points-based series.

Allrounder Ellyse Perry revealed the Australian squad had kept their celebrations restrained after officially winning the series outright with their victory in Chelmsford, instead keeping their focus on winning the final two dead rubbers.

"It was a 40-minute bus ride back to the hotel, so we had a bit of time to sing some songs and drink some Diet Coke," Perry said.

"That was really cool but obviously it is kind of a nice carrot for the last game in Bristol to not lose a match in the series.

"I'm sure there'll be some enjoyment after that and Bristol's a pretty funky city. I've enjoyed going there a couple of times (so) I'm looking forward to that."

England, meanwhile, will be playing for pride and the chance to deny their fiercest rivals an unbeaten run.

"It's difficult to come back after not winning a game yet in the Ashes, but we've got a lot of pride as a team," England top-order batter Tammy Beaumont said.

"Every time you walk out for England, you've got to get yourself up for it.

"You want to prove that we've got something about us and that we can hopefully win a game in this Ashes series.

"Every time you put on a shirt for England, you've got to be up for it or we wouldn't be in the dressing room."

The final T20I of the multi-format Ashes will get underway in Bristol at 6.30pm on Wednesday local time (3.30am Thursday AEST), with live coverage on the Nine Network and ABC Radio.

CommBank Ashes Tour of England

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

England T20 squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Amy Jones, Laura Marsh, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danni Wyatt

Australia lead England 12-2

First ODI: Australia won by two wickets

Second ODI: Australia won by four wickets

Third ODI:  Australia won by 194 runs

Only Test: Match Drawn

First T20: Australia won by 93 runs

Second T20: Australia won by seven wickets

July 31: Third T20, Bristol County Ground, Bristol