Lanning breaks records in stunning T20 knock

Meg Lanning has smashed the highest ever score in a women’s T20 International, flaying England’s bowlers in a brutal display at Chelmsford in the opening Ashes T20.

In equal parts sublime and ruthless, Lanning’s 133 not out came off just 63 deliveries, helping Australia to their highest ever T20I total of 3-226 in the process.

It saw her surpass the record of 126no held by Netherlands Sterre Kallis – who equalled Lanning’s own previous high-water mark of 126 against Germany earlier this year.

The Australian captain had flown under the radar – at least by her standards – through this multi-format women’s Ashes series, despite scoring 69 in the third ODI before a maiden Test fifty coming in the first innings of the one-off Test in Taunton.

QUICK SINGLE Australia seal Ashes victory after Lanning blitz

But the signs that trend was about to end were there early on Friday evening at England’s ‘Fortress Chelmsford’ when she came to the crease in the first over following the early dismissal of Alyssa Healy.

Meg's Masterclasses: Reading the Field

Lanning hit back-to-back boundaries off Sophie Ecclestone in the fourth over, before clearing the ropes in the sixth.

Her half-century came off just 24 deliveries and if England had hoped there would be any relief when her 134-run second-wicket stand with Beth Mooney ended in the 13th over, they were sadly misguided.

The right-hander was handed a life when Tammy Beaumont put down a regulation chance at point and England could only rue the missed chance as Lanning raced into the nineties.

The capacity crowd at Chelmsford may have been firmly on the side of the locals, but even they’d be hard-pressed not to have enjoyed the clinic put on by Lanning, who found the gaps with sublime accuracy and powerfully cleared the English fielders in equal measure.

Australia secure Ashes win with dominant T20 display

She reached triple figures from 51 balls, becoming the third woman to hit multiple T20I tons, and continued her attack, clearing the boundary four more times to finish unbeaten on 133.

Her innings featured a total of 17 fours and seven sixes to set up a dominant Australia victory to seal an Ashes series victory.

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 10-2

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

July 28: Second T20, The County Ground, Hove

July 31: Third T20, Bristol County Ground, Bristol