What is the History of Women’s Ashes?

The Ashes is a biennial cricket contest played between Australia and England. It originated when the Australian men’s team defeated England for the first time on English soil. Originally, it was not referred to as “The Ashes,” but after England’s loss, a newspaper headline symbolized the end of English cricket and that its “Ashes” would be taken to Australia. This incident brought attention to the competition, which has since been regularly held with the objective of either regaining or retaining the ashes.

 

Up until 1934, only the men’s team competed in the Ashes. The first women’s test match was played in 1934, with Australia and England battling throughout the historic game. The term “The Women’s Ashes” was not given to this test match until 1998.

Watch here: History of Women’s Ashes

 

After New Zealand, England became the second country to align its men’s and women’s teams in 1998. 54 years after the first test, the then-Australian Cricket Board and ECB started this tradition to commemorate the alignment. It has been referred to as the Women’s Ashes ever since.

In a ceremony held in the Harris Garden at Lord’s, a bat signed by the two opposing teams, a copy of the Women’s Cricket Association constitution, and the rulebook were all burned to ashes and placed in a yew tree trophy, marking the beginning of the enduring competition between English and Australian women.

This custom has been observed for over 20 years. In the first-ever women’s ashes, Karen Smithies led the England team, while Belinda Clark captained the Australian team. The match featured legendary players such as Belinda Clark, Karen Rolton, and Charlotte Edwards. Both Clark and Edwards hit the century mark, and their 174-run second-wicket stand is the fifth-highest in history. Edwards was unstoppable in the game, scoring 319 runs at a rate of 63.8, which marked the start of her journey to international renown.

Australia has been the more successful team in the several matches between these teams, amassing a total of 10 titles. Previously, The Ashes was exclusively played in tests, but it is now a multi-format series comprising One-Day and T20 Format as well.

The Women’s Ashes have paved the way for multi-format women’s tournaments. Women’s test matches were first played during the Ashes, and it is amazing to see them being played regularly. Every time the competition is held, two of the top teams in women’s cricket compete hard, raising the bar for the sport.

The upcoming Women’s Ashes 2023 starts on 22nd June and will be played till 18th July 2023.

WOMEN’S ASHES 2023 SCHEDULE