Fourth women's one-day international, Wormsley:
England 226-8 (50 overs) beat Australia 225-7 (50 overs) by 2 wickets
Match scorecard

Holly Colvin and Laura Marsh celebrate England's dramatic win

England snatched a dramatic final-ball victory to take a 4-0 lead over Australia in their one-day series.

The hosts needed seven runs off the last over and a single off the final ball to pass Australia's testing 225.

Shelley Nitschke hit 71 off 106 balls and Karen Rolton struck 52 as Australia recovered from a poor start.

Charlotte Edwards (65) and Lydia Greenway (50) then impressed for England while Laura Marsh and Holly Colvin held their nerve at the end.

"I am really proud of the girls. They showed strong character to win today," Edwards said afterwards.

England had beaten Australia in the semi-finals of the recent World Twenty20 and heaped further misery on their rivals by claiming yet another one-day victory.

Australia were determined to salvage some pride from the series but were quickly in trouble as they lost two wickets without a run on the board in Katherine Brunt's first over.

But Nitschke and Rolton helped the visiting team to a very respectable 225-7.

England's reply saw them lose regular wickets until Edwards and Greenway put on a 113-stand to take the side to 191-4.

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It was soon 209-8 as Edwards was run out, Jenny Gunn - out for a golden duck - and Greenway were bowled, while Katherine Brunt also fell cheaply.

But Marsh struck 14 from as many balls and Colvin eight from seven to steer England home.

"In Stratford-upon-Avon, I needed two off one ball and got a full toss which I wasn't expecting. I saw the fielder deep at mid-wicket and I thought it would be a catch but it was dropped, Jenny (Gunn) and I ran two and the match was won.

"Today we We needed one off two balls to win. I swung and missed the first ball but got bat to ball on the last ball and we managed a run to win another nail-biter," a delighted Marsh said afterwards.

The final match of the series takes place at Lord's on Tuesday.

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