The fifth edition of the points-based, multi-format Women’s Ashes begin on Tuesday, July 2, as the defending champions, Australia will set to lock horns with England in first of the three ODIs in Leicester.

England, who last won the Ashes in 2014, are coming on the back seven straight ODI victories coupled with an absolute domination against Sri Lanka (earlier this year) and West Indies (past month). Australia, on their part, haven’t played much this year. Their only series in 2019 has come against New Zealand in a three-match ODI series which was conquered rather swiftly.

It was in 2015 that Australia won back the Women’s Ashes title after a defeat in 2014 and they went on to successfully defending it in 2017. As for the point-based format, which was initiated in 2013, two points will be awarded for each win in the limited-over cricket (ODI and T20), while four points will be given for winning the standalone Test at Taunton.

While the first two ODIs will be played at Leicester at the same ground, the third game will be played in Kent on July 7. Meanwhile, Australia arrived in the United Kingdom some week and a half ago and have played two warm-up games against England’s Academy side as part of the preparation.

“We feel refreshed and ready,” Australia captain Meg Lanning was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.

“We had a massive summer, so it was good to take a bit of time to relax. We’re in a good space. Those two practice games were important, and we played well.”

Both Australia and England know each other’s strength like never before. This is not just because of the Ashes played over the years, but it is also because the players’ involvement in Australia’s Big Bash and England’s the Women’s Super League.

“There’s no hiding these days,” noted Lanning. “Everyone knows everything about you.”

Just in, Australia’s last meeting with England Women came in the ICC Women’s World T20 Final in November 2018, where a bowling brilliance from Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham and Megan Schutt restricted the Lionesses to mere 105 in 20 overs.

In turn, Gardner’s 33 of 26 deliveries and Lanning’s unbeaten 28 guided Australia to an eight-wicket victory with 29 balls to spare. The intensity of the Ashes, however, will be completely different and England captain Heather Knight is aware of it.

“It’s a big series between two really good teams and we’ll both need to be at our best. We’re massively excited and can’t wait to get out there,” Knight was quoted by The Guardian.

Women's Ashes - the schedule

  • First ODI - Leicester, July 2
  • Second ODI - Leicester, July 4
  • Third ODI - Canterbury, July 7
  • Test match - Taunton, July 18-23
  • First T20 - Chelmsford, July 27
  • Second T20 - Hove, July 28
  • Third T20 - Bristol, August 1

Telecast: Sony Pictures Network

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo / Ishara S. Kodikara

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