We are inching closer to the much-anticipated, high-octane battle of the heavyweights Down Under. Fasten your belts and get ready to witness blockbuster action, an absolute theatre when two of the fiercest rivals, England and Australia, take the field to battle for reclaiming supremacy in the upcoming Women’s Ashes from 12th January 2025 (Sunday).
“We always speak about wanting to be calm and relaxed, but everyone’s different. Someone might need to be the opposite, so it’s going to be a matter of what works for you at the end of the day,” said the veteran opening batter Danielle Wyatt-Hodge about sticking and backing individual strengths, being the key to success in their quest to reclaim the Women’s Ashes. England have won the Ashes just a couple of times in 2013 and 2013-14 out of the 7 editions of the multi-format Ashes.
The upcoming series is going to be the 8th edition of the multi-format Women’s Ashes since 2013, which will include a three-match ODI series followed by a three-match T20I series and a one-off Pink Ball Test Match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The home side, Australia received a major boost with the return of their regular skipper Alyssa Healy. However, the extent of her role with the wicket-keeping gloves is yet to be seen. Beth Mooney will take over the keeping gloves behind the stumps if the skipper doesn’t.
Both these sides suffered heart-breaking exits in the 9th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup last year, which was played in the UAE and hosted by Bangladesh. England, led by skipper Heather Knight, suffered a league-stage exit courtesy of a thrashing 6-wicket defeat against the West Indies, led by skipper Hayley Matthews. Australia, led by skipper Alyssa Healy, on the other hand, were knocked out by South Africa, led by skipper Laura Wolvaardt, in the 1st Semi Final. It also marked the first instance since 2009, when Australia missed out on a spot in the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
However, both these sides pushed those setbacks behind them and continued their dominant performances at the international level. In recent times, both these sides are high on confidence on the back of impressive series wins against India (3-0 in ODIs) and the White Ferns (2-0 in ODIs) as far as the hosts, Australia are concerned. England on the other hand, dominated the Proteas in an all-format series (3-0 in T20Is, 2-1 in ODIs, and a massive victory in the one-off Test match, their first in the last 10 years) in their backyard.
The last time these two sides were up against each other in the Women’s Ashes in 2023, the hosts on the previous occasion, England clinched both the White-ball series (2-1 in T20Is and ODIs) after Australia emerged victorious in the red-ball format to level the Ashes scoreline (8-8) in 2023. It also ended a decade-long winning streak in terms of series wins in the ODI format for the Aussies. The visitors, Australia retained the Ashes based on them being the winners in the edition prior to that one in 2022.
“We’re going to take confidence from what happened (last time). But we’re starting a new Ashes, obviously, it’s in their conditions as well. We all know how good the Aussies are, they’re a real quality team, full of world-class players, but we’re really looking forward to the big challenge ahead,” Danielle Wyatt-Hodge spoke about taking inspiration from their performances in the previous edition, while also being aware of the quality of their counterparts and highlighting her team’s preparedness to face the heat Down Under.
Both sides have named a squad with a near-perfect blend of youth and experience for the upcoming white-ball series. The home side is yet to announce their squad for the one-off Pink Ball Test Match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), hosting its first pink ball Test Match. The upcoming 8th edition of the Women’s Ashes will commence on 12th January 2025 (Sunday) with the three-match ODI series that will follow the points system, the same applies to the three-match T20I series.
(Quotes sourced from EspnCricinfo)
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