In a significant step towards the legacy of women’s cricket, Australia is set to host England in a four-day pink-ball Ashes Test at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Australia’s commitment to celebrating the rich history of women’s cricket is highlighted by Australia’s recent announcement of the 2024-25 season schedule.
This season promises an exciting schedule, including a T20I series against New Zealand, the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, and a thrilling three-match ODI series against India.
“It’s certainly an amazing opportunity for the team to play at such an iconic Australian cricket venue and in such a big occasion like an Ashes series,” Ellyse Perry told reporters from Dhaka on Tuesday.
“We all saw that fixture and thought ‘what an amazing opportunity’ and how much possibility that also carries in terms of what it could do for the game.
“I think that’s the aspiration for everyone involved, to start to regularly play at the best stadiums around the country and most importantly have really good crowds attend those matches.
“That’s the next evolution for women’s cricket (and) more globally as well for women’s sport, we’re starting to see that happen more and more often across the board.”
On the possible 5-day test match which last happened in the Ashes 2023 and also helped for a result Ellyse Perry said,
“We probably need to do some more quantifiable work on what is most effective for the women’s game,” Ellyse Perry said.
“I’ve got a really small sample size of one five-day Test match and we managed to get a result in that, so I suppose my bias skews towards that, having played a number of four-day games where we haven’t got results.
Regarding the scheduling of the individual series in the context of the Ashes Ellyse Perry said,
“With the Test match being at the end of the series as well, it could be really important in terms of a team needing to push for a victory to secure the Ashes.”
The decision to host the Ashes Test at the MCG stadium holds profound significance, as it marks the return of women’s Test cricket to this prestigious venue after a hiatus spanning over seven decades. The last women’s Test held at the MCG dates back to 1948-49, making this upcoming fixture an important moment in cricketing history.
Moreover, the Test dates coincide with the 90th anniversary of the inaugural women’s Test series between Australia and England in 1934-35, adding a layer of historical significance to the occasion. It also represents a pivotal step towards gender inclusivity in cricket, as women players reclaim their place on the sacred grounds of the MCG.
For current players, the upcoming Test holds personal significance, serving as a reminder of their predecessors’ contributions to the sport. Celebrations such as the 50th anniversary of Australia’s 1973 women’s World Cup team and the recognition of former players and administrators at the 2020 T20 World Cup final highlight the deep-rooted connections within the women’s cricketing community.