Australia A and England A will battle it out in the third and final one-dayer of the series at Cricket Central Park in Sydney, with the hosts holding a commanding 2-0 lead. Having already secured the series, Australia A will be aiming for a clean sweep, buoyed by their dominant performance in the second match where they registered a comprehensive 125-run victory.
That contest saw the Australian spinners take center stage, dismantling the English batting lineup with precision and control. In contrast, England A have struggled to find momentum, falling short in both matches and failing to match the intensity and execution displayed by their opponents. As the series reaches its conclusion, the final fixture presents a crucial opportunity for the visitors to restore some pride and avoid a whitewash, while Australia A will look to maintain their dominance and conclude the series on a high.
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, 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:
Ella Hayward
Ella Hayward, the right-arm off-break bowler, will be a key player to watch in the third one-dayer against England A. A standout performer in the 2024/25 Women’s National Cricket League, she claimed 21 wickets in 12 matches, boasting best figures of 6 for 31. With the bat, she amassed 446 runs, at an average of 40.54, from 12 outings and registered the highest of 112*.
Nicola Hancock
Nicola Hancock, the right-arm medium pacer, brings both consistency and experience to the Australian A bowling attack and will be another key figure in the upcoming third one-dayer. In the 2024/25 Women’s National Cricket League, she picked up 18 wickets in 13 matches, with best figures of 4 for 53 and a steady economy rate of 4.71. In the latest edition of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, she claimed 14 wickets in just 6 matches, underlining her ability to make crucial breakthroughs across formats and conditions.
Hollie Armitage
Hollie Armitage, the right-handed batter and captain of England A, will be a crucial player in the third one-dayer. In the 2024/25 Women’s National Cricket League, she amassed 370 runs from 10 matches at a strike rate of 95.36, including a brilliant century. Her leadership and ability to anchor the innings will be vital as England A look to bounce back. With her experience and calm presence at the crease, Armitage will be central to England A’s hopes of salvaging a win and avoiding a series whitewash.
Ryana MacDonald-Gay
Ryana MacDonald-Gay, the right-arm medium pacer, has been one of the standout performers for England A. She had an exceptional campaign in the 2024 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, finishing as the third-highest wicket-taker with 31 wickets from just 10 matches. Her best figures of 5 for 31, coupled with a remarkable average of 16.71, highlight her ability to deliver match-defining spells. MacDonald-Gay’s knack for early breakthroughs and consistency with the ball make her a vital asset as England A look to stage a comeback.
Pitch:
The surface at Sydney Olympic Park tends to assist pacers early on, offering good bounce and carry, which makes shot-making challenging in the initial stages. However, once batters find their rhythm, there’s plenty of opportunity to build a strong innings, with the average first-innings score hovering around 244.
Weather:
Clear skies with no chances of rain and temperature of about 24°C are predicted for the match day. A complete game without weather disruptions is anticipated as there is no forecast for rain.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Nicole Faltum, Grace Scrivens, Charli Knott, Hollie Armitage, Georgia Voll, Courtney Webb, Lauren Cheatle, Mady Villiers, Issy Wong, Sophie Day, Amy Smith
Match details:
Date – April 7, 2025
Time – 5:15 AM IST
Venue – Cricket Central, Sydney Olympic Park
Broadcast – T.B.C.
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