England star Heather Knight fumes as Australia claim Ashes with rain-affected T20 victory

England have been left to rue their bad luck after Australia claimed a dramatic rain-affected victory in the second T20, securing the Ashes outright while edging closer to a whitewash.

Touring skipper Heather Knight blasted her side to within touching distance of an unlikely win but the players were called from the field when they needed 18 runs from five balls.

Within minutes a brief conversation took place and Knight shook hands with Aussie captain Tahlia McGrath — then notably snubbed the umpires — to confirm the hosts had claimed a six-run win on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.

Knight, sitting on 43 not out, had thrown her bat in frustration when the rain arrived and hardly settled down during the delay.

“She couldn’t believe it. Lip readers all around the world will be able to work out the rest, I reckon,” Andy Maher said in commentary on Channel 7.

Australian star Grace Harris had no sympathy for England, whose batters had sprinted off the field at an earlier rain delay called moments after edging ahead of the par score.

“They ran off before when it was just as heavy as this. I guess if we’re going to be consistent this is pretty much what it was raining like before when we came off,” she said.

“It’s poor timing obviously, five balls to go, (but) if we’re being consistent with the rules then we should be off.

“They’re always a competitive outfit, England, so this might rub them the wrong way ... there’ll be some spice heading into the Test.”

England lost two quick wickets to Megan Schutt after the initial rain delay and only Knight’s late rush brought them back into the match.

Australia had earlier struck 5-185 off their 20 overs, with McGrath (48 not out) and Harris (35 not out) finishing the job started by Beth Mooney (44).

England, led by Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s 52, finished on 4-168 from 19.1 overs.

“My heart’s only just settled down, constantly looking at Duckworth-Lewis, constantly thinking about the radar,” McGrath told Channel 7.

“I’m exhausted, my brain trying to work it all out. Glad it’s over.”

Knight played a straight bat during her post-match interview.

“I’m really proud of the way the girls fought today, I thought it was brilliant,” she said.

“To try and chase that (target) was a tough ask and unfortunately (the match) wasn’t able to reach its crescendo.”

The series moves to Adelaide for the third and final T20 on Saturday night before the landmark Test match at the MCG begins next Thursday.

Australian captain Alyssa Healy (foot) and star allrounder Ash Gardner (calf) were again absent, with their participation for the rest of the series still in doubt.

- with AAP