The Australians lead the series 8-2, so England would need to win all three remaining T20 games to manage a draw. Ashes stars: Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry in London ahead of their quest to clinch the urn Credit:Getty Images The Nine Network's free-to-air HD channel GEM will show the last match of the series on delay at 9pm on Monday, ahead of the men's T20 match, which starts at midnight. But that game may be just a victory lap for the Southern Stars if they come out on top on either early Thursday morning, Melbourne and Sydney time, or on Friday. Nine Network's head of sport Steve Crawley said captain Meg Lanning, allrounder Ellyse Perry and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy were world-class athletes and great entertainers.

"It's exciting for the Nine Network to bring the Southern Stars' talents into Australian households, to cap off what's been a fantastic women's Ashes series," he said. Calling the shots: Southern Stars skipper Meg Lanning. Credit:Reuters The commentary team will include a mix of people from the Nine Network and British channel Sky, with the final lineup still being finalised. It has been a good year for Australian sportswomen. World-class athlete: Southern Stars all-rounder Ellyse Perry. Credit:Reuters

National soccer team the Matildas became the first national side to make the quarter-finals at a World Cup. Channel Seven broadcast a women's AFL match earlier this month, the first time the female version of the sport had made it to live, free-to-air television, and it proved a ratings success. But big differences remain between the pay and recognition offered to male and female Australian athletes in most sports. Cricket Australia figures show the number of five- to 12-year-old girls playing cricket had grown 18 per cent in the past financial year, with a substantial increase in participation also evident among teenagers and adult women. There were 525 traditional 11-a-side female club teams, 91 more than the year before.