The sun finally arrived and the "sold out" sign was up at Allan Border Field for the first of three 50-over games, which heralded the start of a seven-game stretch that features another two ODIs, three T20s and a four-day Test at North Sydney Oval.

On a placid, two-paced pitch at Albion, England set the Australians a target of 229 for victory. When captain Rachel Haynes (30) fell with Australia at 5-150, it seemed as if the tourists would be able to squeeze the life out of the faltering chase.

Instead, Blackwell stood tall and made the most of being dropped on 35 by spinner Alex Hartley, who should have been able to pocket the lofted drive when it was sent back in her direction.

Blackwell was unbeaten at the end, finishing with a fine 67 off 86 deliveries and being ably assisted by a blazing lower-order cameo from Ashleigh Gardner, who cracked two fours and cleared the fence twice in her dashing and match-turning 27 (18 deliveries).

"I really wanted to own those last 10 overs. I felt if I could bat until the end, we win the game. Ash Gardner at the end really took the pressure off, playing her natural game. I encouraged her to do that... she's a great cricketer," Blackwell said.

"Ash hits to interesting areas and has a really great power game. With the short pockets at Allan Border Field, Ash was also going to profit. I think they're going to have to change their bowling plans at the death."

England captain Heather Knight felt it was a game that got away, with their total 20 or 30 short and some dropped catches proving hugely costly.

"We knew it was a slightly slower wicket. It was a 250 wicket. A lot of starts today and not enough carrying on and playing through the innings," Knight said.

"A lot of the top six got in then got out. We couldn't quite push that score up."

Australia would need the rush of blood from Gardner, needing until the final over to deliver the winning blow, with Jess Jonassen swatting a four to complete the two-wicket victory in style.

It wasn't all roses for the Australians, who cost themselves wickets with two run-outs as England completed some tidy work in the field. It's an area they will want to improve as they head towards game two and three in Coffs Harbour next week.

England were sent in looked as if they were on the way to a formidable target when they cruised to 1-75 after 16 overs, with Sarah Taylor (34) and top-scorer Lauren Winfield (48) steering the ship.

When they departed, the Australians were able to slam on the brakes, drying up the runs through the middle overs. Heather Knight could only add 15 to the total before she went at the hands of left-arm spinner Jonassen, before all-rounder Natalie Sciver (36 off 52) and Fran Wilson (26) were able to pick up the pace.

Megan Schutt (2-44) and Gardner (3-47) were the pick of the home side's attack.

The total of 9-228 always looked a touch under par and that ended up being the case as Australia took first blood in their bid to retain the Ashes.