England Women’s Team. (Photo Source: Twitter)
A momentous occasion awaits women’s cricket when England takes on nemesis Australia in the Women’s Ashes opener at Trent Bridge. A record crowd in Nottingham will be in attendance to witness a first-ever five-day Test between Australia women and England women, commencing on June 22.
The home side, who are eyeing to reclaim the Ashes for the first in almost a decade, will be up against a Meg Lanning-less Australian team. Despite the absence of their iconic skipper, the visitors will prove to be a formidable opponent for the home side.
With four points on offer in the only Test match of the series, both sides will be pushing for a victory to lay down the marker for the remainder of the Ashes. Although Australia are heading into the clash as heavy favourites, Heather Knight’s team could use a boisterous crowd to their advantage in the historic event.
Alyssa Healy, who will be leading the side in the absence of Lanning, will look to take inspiration from their dominating Ashes victory last year, where England failed to register even a single victory. A strong showing in the warm-ups has hinted that this might be the year that England ends Australia’s dominant grip on the urn.
Pitch and Conditions
The surface is Trent Bridge usually aids the slower bowlers as the match progresses. However, there is a fair amount of assistance for the seamers on the first two days. Despite the sideways movement on offer for the bowlers, teams have usually enjoyed batting at this venue, and the team winning the toss might venture that route in the Ashes opener.
Probable Playing XI for ENG-W vs AUS-W
Heather Knight’s side are headed into the contest on the back of a strong batting display in their warm-ups. Tammy Beaumont, who caught the eye with a glittering double-century, will be expected to continue her batting run against the Aussies.
Probable playing XI: Tammy Beaumont, Emma Lamb, Heather Knight (c), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophia Dunkley, Danni Wyatt, Amy Jones, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell
Meanwhile, the Aussies would be looking to extend their dominance in the iconic series. Alyssa Healy would love to lead from the front for her side in the absence of regular skipper Meg Lanning. All eyes will be on the young batting prodigy Phoebe Litchfield, who will be filling the void left by Lanning’s absence.
Probable playing XI: Beth Mooney, Phoebe Litchfield, Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Darcie Brown
ENG-W vs AUS-W Head-to-head
Played – 52 Australia – 12