Australia are leading the Women’s Ashes with eight points to England’s four. With only two ODIs left in the series, England will only be able to draw the series if they win the remaining ODIs. A drawn series will still mean that Australia have retained the Ashes.
The second ODI between Australia and England will be played at the Junction Oval in Melbourne on February 6.
Match Preview
Australia: Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes (VC), Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Meg Lanning (C), Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Stella Campbell, Beth Mooney
England: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Natasha Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Amy Ellen Jones, Natalie Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield Hill, Danielle Wyatt, Charlotte Dean, Lauren Bell
Players to watch out for
Beth Mooney:
The stylish southpaw won the player of the match for her scintillating knock of 73 off 91 balls. The middle-order batter smashed eight boundaries and six in her innings. She played an important role in taking Australia past the 200-run mark.
Darcie Brown:
The right arm seamer was the pick of the bowlers for Australia in the first ODI having scalped 4-34 in her 10 overs. She bowled well with the new ball, getting rid of Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight of consecutive balls. Australia will want this speedster to continue with her form in the upcoming ODIs as well.
Natalie Sciver:
The English all-rounder top-scored with 45 runs off 66 balls, including three boundaries. She held the innings together after England lost two early wickets inside four overs. With the ball, the right arm seamer bowled her full quota of 10 overs, however went wicket-less.
Kate Cross:
This right-arm quick came in as the first change and bowled in tight lines and lengths. With the wicket-keeper standing up to her, she did not allow the batters to walk down at her. She scalped 3-33 in her 10 overs and was the most economical bowler for England.
Pitch
Five WODIs have been played at this venue so far. Teams batting first have won three matches, while teams batting second have won two. Australia have a 100 percent success rate at this venue, having won all the five matches that they have played here to date. On the other hand, England have not played a single WODI at this venue. The highest total at this venue has been 240 and the lowest was 136. Expect a good contest between the bat and ball.
Weather
The weather looks good for a complete day of cricket. It is expected to be sunny and pleasant right through the course of the match. The average temperatures will be between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius. The wind will blow from east-southeast in the morning (local) and from the south in the afternoon (local).
Fantasy playing XI
Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning, Heather Knight, Katherine Brunt, Tahlia McGrath, Natalie Sciver, Kate Cross, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Sophie Ecclestone
Match details
Date: February 6, 2022
Time: 4.35am IST
Venue: Junction Oval, Melbourne
Live streaming: Sony LIV
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.