Summary

  • Australia win Ashes outright following victory on DLS method - report

  • England needed 18 runs off five balls when rain forced players from field

  • Australia recover from 114-5 to post 185-5

  • Hosts smash 48 off last three overs

  • McGrath (48*) and Harris (35*) do the damage

  • Second of three T20s, Canberra

Rain stops play with five balls remaining

Live Reporting

by Sam Drury & Mike Peter

  1. Ffion Wynne
    BBC Sport cricket writer in Canberra

    Every single ball is like an event here, the bowler being clapped in like a long-jumper by the crowd.

    It's great drama as the rain starts to ease a little.

  2. Rain on the way, DLS in play and so Australia go back to Georgia Wareham to try and slow England down.

  3. Eng 82-1

    Target 186

    The rain is getting a little heavier and every run counts - Sophia Dunkley gets four of them to end the over!

    She backs away and tries to carve the ball over the off side. It's more edgy than she'd like but gets over short third and runs away to the fence.

    England lead by four on DLS.

  4. Michelle Goszko
    Ex-Australia batter on BBC Sounds

    With the fielding standards that Australia have, that catch should have been taken. Sophia Dunkley scooped it up to fine leg and she got a lifeline.

    You can see that Tahlia McGrath is fuming.

  5. Ffion Wynne
    BBC Sport cricket writer in Canberra

    It's raining, again.

    We're in for one of those evenings/mornings, folks. At least it's making me feel a little more at home.

  6. dropped catch

    Dunkley dropped on 22

    Eng 74-1

    Dangerous Dunkley dropped by McGrath

    Are things finally going England's way?!

    Sophia Dunkley top-edges a sweep shot, the ball loops up but Australia skipper Tahlia McGrath shells the catch as she dives forward from short fine leg.

    Big let off for Dunkley and England.

  7. Aaron Bryans
    Test Match Special commentator

    There is a lot of pride on the line here for England as they don't want to leave having lost every game. Equally, Australia will want a clean sheet.

    So there's still a lot to play for.

  8. Eng 73-1

    Target 186

    Just the start England wanted after the rain delay.

    A full toss from Alana King and Sophia Dunkley sweeps it behind square for four.

  9. Here come the players. The rain has stopped and all indications are that it should stay away for the remainder of this match.

    We've got two balls left in the ninth over, Sophia Dunkley will be on strike to face Alana King.

  10. Michelle Goszko
    Ex-Australia batter on BBC Sounds

    We could see the lightning from the Media Centre here at Manuka Oval a long while before the umpires did.

    The drama of the England players running off and Australia shouting them back just added to the spice and drama of it all.

  11. Well, Viren, it looks as though it may not come down to DLS here anyway.

    As for the idea of a draw, part of the idea of DLS was to avoid matches ending without a conclusive result so I can't see that being implemented.

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    This DLS is a bit of a farce. Whoever loses this will be rightly disappointed. Why can't we have a system where there is a small range where any score in that is a draw?

    Viren, Croydon

  13. Play to restart at 11:05 GMT

    More news from Canberra and play will restart in about 10 minutes.

    No overs lost so England still require 186 to win. That's another 117 from 68 balls.

  14. Covers coming off

    If it is still raining at all then the decision to remove the covers is very interesting indeed.

    But the main cover is being dragged off so you have to assume the rain has now stopped completely.

    Australia are on the boundary edge, they want to get out there and get back in front before there is anymore rain.

  15. Ffion Wynne
    BBC Sport cricket writer in Canberra

    Huge cheers as the groundstaff emerge to remove the covers!

    I don't think England will be feeling particularly cheery. It's still drizzling a little.

  16. For now, the covers are on and there is no movement from the ground staff just yet.

    The rain has eased but it seems it could be a little while before be get a restart.

    A reminder that the DLS par score is 67, England are 69-1 so it's tight but the tourists are ahead.

  17. Michelle Goszko
    Ex-Australia batter on BBC Sounds

    A sliding doors moment with a near wicket and then a boundary that completely changes the equation and puts England in front. This over had everything!

  18. rain stops play

    Rain stops play

    Eng 69-1

    Dunkley four puts England ahead of rate as rain decends

    Whipped through the leg side for four by Sophia Dunkley.

    And that might just win England this second T20. The umpires have finally seen enough and the England batters head off at pace - it's somewhere between a sprint and skipping with delight.

    Heather Knight's side are two ahead on DLS. If they don't get back on, they will have their first win of the series.

  19. Michelle Goszko
    Ex-Australia batter on BBC Sounds

    Has that six just won England their first T20? Sophia Dunkley whipped out the full-face vertical bat, it was a remarkable shot.

    The batters are pleading with the umpires to go off, but they are having none of it.

    Dunkley hits big six down the ground

  20. Eng 65-1

    Target 186

    A huge flash of lightning brings oohs and ahs from the crowd but the umpires are standing firm.

    At this stage, I'd say England are quite right to be frustrated that they are still out there...