There is not other sport in the world which desires a small pot of dust as much as cricket. It’s extremely bizarre and if you spend long enough thinking about it, it makes you feel quite stupid. The 2am alarm clocks when the series is away from home and the classic one eye on the cricket, one eye on work when it’s a home series; there’s nothing quite like the Ashes.
The Australia women's cricket team could be considered as the world’s best sporting team at the moment, holding every trophy that they can. But, England have a new wave of youth, a new ambitious coach and the Ashes to win back!
Test Match – Trent Bridge, Nottingham (22nd-26th June)
The weighting of four points gives the Test match extra significance. Opening the multi-format Ashes series, England will face Australia in the first 5-day women’s Test Match since 1992 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
The ODIs are hard to call. Again, Australia are World Champions and have had double figure winning streaks but by this point in the series it could be neck and neck. Australia have the ability to run away with a game and leave England without an answer but Jon Lewis’ new style has shown a stronger mentality and better performances from England. imactic draw.
Alice Capsey – who looked likely to make her test debut – and Alice Davidson-Richards – who made 107 on test debut in 2022 – have both been released from the initial 15-player squad to play for England A in three T20s against Australia A. This means that it could be predicted that Lauren Filer and Danni Wyatt will not make the final playing XI.
If England want to win the Ashes, they must win the test match. Not only will the momentum be key heading into the white ball games but England stand a much stronger chance in the more unknown red ball game than the white ball matches where Australia are known to dominate.
T20s – 1st T20I, Edgbaston, Birmingham (1st July), 2nd T20I, The Oval, London (5th July), 3rd T20I, Lord’s, London (8th July)
T20s are anyone’s game. Sometimes the best team wins, sometimes they don’t. However, Australia are particularly good at winning T20s. Having only ever missed out on one T20 World Cup Final back in 2009, the Aussies have won six T20 World Cups, Commonwealth Gold and are on a double-figure winning streak.
England on the other hand, lost to South Africa in the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final – an unexpected result and also underperformed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games where they failed to finish on the podium.
Edgbaston, Lords and the Oval will host the three T20s with respectable crowds expected. It’s England’s chance to get the crowd behind them and play some of Jon Lewis’ fearless cricket.
ODIs – 1st ODI, The Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol (12th July), 2nd ODI - The Ageas Bowl, Southampton (16th July), 3rd ODI - The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton (18th July)
The ODIs are had to call. Again, Australia are World Champions and have had double figure winning streaks but by this point in the series it could be neck and neck. Australia have the ability to run away with a game and leave England without an answer but Jon Lewis’ new style has shown a stronger mentality and better performances from England.
With potentially everything on the line at this stage, it will be a battle of mentalities and who can perform under pressure. It also may well be the case that one of the sides dominate and the games are dead rubber at this point.
Who are some key players?
Nat Sciver-Brunt (all-rounder) ENG
In all formats, Nat Sciver-Brunt is one to watch. Her explosive style and reassurance at the crease are some of Sciver-Brunt’s attributes which makes her world-class. Consistency across the three formats has made Sciver-Brunt and anchor in England’s side.
In last summer's test match, Sciver-Brunt scored 169* against South Africa proving her ability in the long form of the game.
Sophia Dunkley (batter) ENG
Sophia Dunkley has excelled in test cricket and has a real flair for long-form cricket despite only having three opportunities to wear the test whites.
Dunkley does go under the radar sometimes but again, her calm presence is always welcomed at the crease. In ODIs, Dunkley has also found good rhythm and has solidified her place in all three formats.
Dani Gibson (all-rounder) ENG
A genuine all-rounder, Dani Gibson has earned her first England call up to the main squad. A travelling reserve in the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup, Gibson has spent time around the England set up but it’s testament to her hard work over the winter and versatility that she’s also earned a test call up.
Out of all potential debutants, she is one of the more likely candidates to feature given her all-round abilities and powerful batting.
Phoebe Litchfield (all-rounder) AUS
The absence of captain, Meg Lanning, from this Ashes series provides 20-year-old Phoebe Litchfield an opportunity to make a step up.
Litchfield has made her T20 and ODI debuts within the last six months after a number of highly successful years in the Women’s Big Bash League. A destructive all-rounder who has emerged as an opening batter, Litchfield has the fearless and brave attitude which challenges England.
Ashleigh Gardner (all-rounder) AUS
Ash Gardner has found international recognition, being the second most expensive player behind Smriti Mandhana in the inaugural Women’s Premier League in March 2023.
Particularly in T20, Gardner is a valuable all-rounder having a particularly strong Commonwealth games – taking 3/16 and scoring 25 from 25 in the final against India at Edgbaston.
Who will win?
England fans tend to be overly optimistic or extremely pessimistic so here is a slight middle ground. It’s Australia’s series to lose. England are underdogs but that doesn’t mean a win is off the cards. As mentioned, the test match is key. However, England will still need to dominate the T20s and ODIs which is a big ask but Jon Lewis’ new aggressive style could be the formula which finally beats the Aussies.
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