The old school rivalry between arch-rivals Australia A and England A is set to reignite the blazing sparks once again as the two cricketing heavyweights will be up against each other in the first One Dayer of a three-match series. Their recently concluded 3-match T20 series ended in a 1-0 win for England A, who won the series opener, while the subsequent games were rained out.
With both teams eager to kick off the proceedings on a commanding note, the clash promises to be high-octane stuff, promising high-intensity action, tactical battles, and individual brilliance. Australia, playing in familiar conditions, will look to capitalize on home advantage, while England, known for their aggressive brand of cricket, will aim to set the tone early on.
Squads:
Australia A Women
Nicole Faltum (C, WK), Charli Knott (VC), Lauren Cheatle, Hannah Darlington, Sophie Day, Tess Flintoff, Sianna Ginger, Nicola Hancock, Ella Hayward, Anika Learoyd, Amy Smith, Georgia Voll, Courtney Webb, Tahlia Wilson
England A Women
Hollie Armitage (C), Alice Capsey, Georgia Davis, Mahika Gaur, Kirstie Gordon, Jodi Grewcock, Bess Heath, Emma Jones, Freya Kemp, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Charis Pavely, Grace Potts, Paige Scholfield, Grace Scrivens, Seren Smale, Bryony Smith, Alexa Stonehouse, Mady Villiers, Issy Wong
Players to watch out:
Georgia Voll
The 21-year-old top-order batter is having an explosive season with the bat, displaying the talent on the field. In the 2024-25 Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) season, Australia’s 50-over competition, Voll racked up 301 runs in 6 outings, at an average of 60.20 and a strike rate of 112.73. This summer she also made her ODI debut and notched up a century in only her 2nd international outing.
Lauren Cheatle
The 26-year-old left-arm medium pacer, will spearhead the bowling battery for hosts Australia A. While her international appearances have been limited to four ODIs and seven T20Is, her experience and skill continue to make her a key figure in Australia’s cricketing circuit. In the 2024-25 WNCL season, she scalped 14 wickets from 10 outings, at an economy rate of 4.35. She’ll be relied upon to lead the wickets tally.
Paige Scholfield
The 29-year-old middle-order batter and right-arm fast-medium pacer is one of the all-rounders to look out for in the upcoming bilateral series. In the 2024 domestic season, Scholfield opted against bowling in the One Day competition, and with the bat, from 9 innings amassed 252 runs. For Oval Invincibles in The Hundred, she has amassed 268 runs in 15 innings while also contributing eight wickets. In her only outing this series, she scored a sublime 36 and will be counted on for the runs.
Mahika Gaur
The 19-year-old left-arm fast-medium bowler is making a name for herself in a quick time with strong performances with the ball. Having already appeared in 24 T20Is, the teenager continues to make her mark as an emerging talent in international cricket. Earlier in this series, first T20 against Australia A, she delivered a standout performance, taking 2/10. With her capacity to produce bounce and movement, Gaur is turning out to be a great prospect for the future.
Pitch:
Cricket Central Ground, known for its firm and lively surface, offers a range of playing conditions that can influence the game in a variety of ways. The pitch tends to favour fast bowlers, with consistent bounce and pace, making it perfect for exciting contests.
Weather:
It is going to be humid in Sydney with 10% chances of precipitation. The temperature is expected to be around 23 degrees Celsius, with winds blowing at 11 km/hr and humidity at 58%.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Tahlia Wilson, Seren Smale, Georgia Voll, Courtney Webb, Grace Scrivens, Paige Scholfield, Charli Knott, Freya Kemp, Lauren Cheatle, Hannah Darlington, Amy Smith
Match details:
Date – April 2, 2025
Time – 5:00 AM IST
Venue – Cricket Central, Sydney Olympic Park
Broadcast – T.B.C.
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