Cricket is back, and we kick off the international summer with the oldest rivalry to date, as Australia take on England in the first ODI of the Women’s Ashes at Allan Border Field this Sunday. Join The Roar for live scores and highlights from 10:15am (AEDT).
The last time the Women’s Ashes were held in Australia, the English came away with the urn.
Heading back to the United Kingdom to defend their title, Australia were superb in their tour, taking back the Ashes in a thrilling series.
Now, we are back once again, in a blockbuster summer, which promises to delight.
The Women’s Ashes works slightly differently to the men’s, with the series played over three formats.
The series operates through a points system, with each limited-overs win being worth two points (one point if the game is a tie or abandoned), while the winner of the Test will gain four points (two points each if drawn).
As well as that, this Ashes series marks the first time that the new ICC Championship system will be in play.
The Championships see the top eight teams meet in an ODI round-robin competition that spans four years, with automatic qualification for the 2021 World Cup on the line, so this series is vitally important, not just for the famous trophy at the end.
The Australians hold the urn currently, but were soundly beaten in the 2017 World Cup semi final, going down to India, while the English will be full of confidence following their World Cup victory on home soil.
The two teams also met in the group stages, with the English beating the Aussies by 3 runs in a thriller.
The main issue for the Aussies is their captain. Meg Lanning is arguably the best women’s batsmen in the world, and the Australians will be without her this series as she recovers from injury.
It is a jarring blow to their Ashes defence, and Rachel Haynes will have to step up in a big way to replace Lanning, not just as a batsmen, but as an onfield leader.
Australia: Alyssa Healy
The ‘Brad Haddin’ of the women’s team, Healy is extremely vocal behind the pegs. Her keeping work itself is outstanding; with clean hands and good footwork all ensuing she is relatively tidy behind the stumps. Her batting is no joke either, as she is explosive and dangerous down the bottom of the order. For Australia to hold onto the urn, they will be relying on Healy to have a big series.
England: Natalie Sciver
A devastating batsmen, Sciver is dangerous when she’s at the crease. A clean striker of the ball, Sciver has played quite a bit in Australia, turning out for the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL over the past two seasons. Combined with that, she is also a tricky medium pace bowler, with subtle variations having netted her 30 ODI wickets.
Australia is hurting from their World Cup loss, and while they are missing Lanning, are still extremely dangerous. They know their conditions well, and have a strong squad in. Expect them to take home the first win of the summer, and set the tone for the remaining series, and the men’s Ashes to come.
Australia by 20 runs.
Can Australia come out firing and strike the first blow in the battle for the Ashes. Or will the English be riding high off their World Cup success, and use that to fire them towards the first victory of their campaign? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 10am (AEDT).
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
Match Report: An Alex Blackwell-led Australia has drawn first blood in the opening ODI, defeating England by two wickets at Allan Border Field on Sunday, going two points up in the Women’s Ashes. Australia won the toss and sent the English into bat on a warm, sunny Brisbane morning, and the English got off to a good start with Tammy Beaumont (24) and Lauren Winfield (48), before Ellyse Perry (2/50) grabbed Beaumont’s wicket with a good catch at mid off by Megan Schutt. Sarah Taylor looked good before succumbing LBW to Ashleigh Gardner (3/47), and then a horrific run out, which saw Heather Knight sell Winfield down the river turned the momentum for Australia. Strangling England with some tight bowling, Natalie Sciver (36) got England back into the contest, but late wickets to Megan Schutt (2/44) and Jess Jonassen (1/38) saw England struggle to 9/228. It was always going to be a tricky run chase, but Alyssa Healy started like a house on fire, hitting three boundaries off the first over. England came storming back into the contest however, as Katherine Brunt (2/47) and Anya Shrubsole (1/21) strangled Australia, nicking off Nicole Bolton, and nabbing Alyssa Healy with a poor shot from the keeper. The Aussies rebuilt under Ellyse Perry (20) and Elyse Villani (38), but when Alex Hartley (2/40) had Perry stumped after drinks, and Rachel Haynes ran out Villani, England seemed to be in control of the game. But then in came Alex Blackwell, who batted with a presence of calmness and experience that seemed to be lacking out in the middle. She lost Haynes (30) and McGrath, but found a willing partner in Gardner (27) who blasted England to all parts of the ground to bring Australia home. The end of the match was not without drama, with Gardner caught trying to hit the ball out of the ground, and Amanda-Jade Wellington run out with two runs required, but the first ball of the last over saw Jess Jonassen hit a four to take home the first win of the Ashes for Australia. Alex Blackwell finished on 67 not out, and was named Player of the Match for her efforts. This means Australia take home two points in the series, and now only need a further six points to retain the Ashes. The second ODI is on October 22nd at Coff’s Harbour, with play starting at 10:15am (AEST).
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
END OF THE MATCH AUSTRALIA 8/231 DEFEAT ENGLAND 9.228 BY 2 WICKETS What a start to our international summer! Australia go up in the series, and take two points in their quest to retain the Ashes. Alex Blackwell was fantastic, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 67, whilst Elyse Villani (38), Rachel Haynes (30) and Ash Gardner(27) all playing supporting roles. The bowling effort was fantastic from the Australians, as Ashleigh Gardner also picked up 3/47 in a great display of off spin bowling. England looked good, but were unable to capitalise on their starts. The next ODI will be on October 26th at Coff's Harbour on Thursday, join us then! Thank you for joiningme today though, been a blast! Match review will be up shortly!
Maggie
Guest
Exciting finish, well done Aussie women. Great batting by Blackwell, calm and tactical under pressure.
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
50TH OVER FOUR Here we go, Jess Jonassen on strike, and Jonassen smokes this for four!!! Through the covers, great shot and Australia draw first blood in the series!
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
49TH OVER Big shout from Brunt, but this one is sliding down leg. Desperate appeal from the English. OUT Run out!! Great fielding by Sciver in mid wicket, once more and its a massive mix up, Wellington and Blackwell cross, so the leg spinner must make her way back to the pavilion, and we are going to go into the last over, Australia needing 2 runs off 6 balls with 2 wickets in hand!
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
49TH OVER Again, drop and run from Australia, Blackwell drops and runs, 4 runs needed now, just a boundary away. Wellington times this well, gets two and Australia only need two more runs now!
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
49TH OVER 7 off 12 needed for the Aussies. Brunt to start. Great single from Blackwell. Quick running as Blackwell drops and runs in the covers. Leg bye from Wellington, Australia need 5
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
48TH OVER 9 off 15, Wellington on strike. Wellington plays and misses, and Taylor takes the stumps! We are going upstairs, and Wellington just gets her foot down, great keeping but that is close. Not out the call, here we go as Wellington runs this down to third man, 8 off 13. Blackwell just pushes this down to long off, 7 needed from 12 AUSTRALIA 7/222 (48) Blackwell 65 Wellington 1
JD St George
Roar Pro
I think England now wish they didn't get McGrath out now.
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
48TH OVER Jenny Gunn comes on now, as Australia needs 11 off 18 37 runs the partnership between Blackwell and Gardner Gardner heaves this over mid wicket, gets one as the deficit goes down to 10 runs. Blackwell now gets herself a single as she drives down the ground, easy single and we are into single digits. OUT GOT HER! Gunn bowls a short, slow and wide one, and Gardner tries to hit this out of the ground. What an innings by Gardner, match-winning almost, but not quite, as the Aussies are still 9 runs away from victory. 3 wickets in hand, this still isn't over!
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
47TH OVER Brunt continues, Blackwell nabs a single near fine leg. 25 off 23 required.... Gardner tries to smack this, but she top edged it onto her helmet, no damage done, but another single. Gardner toes this one down to long on, she's trying to hit everything out of the ground. Good stuff from Blackwell, as she nudges this down to fine leg for another one. SIX CLUTCH FROM GARDNER! Slog sweeps Brunt for a big six, massive blow and Gardner has really connected with one!! Oh no, 5 wides as Brunt slides this one down leg and Taylor is up, she can't get to this one, no matter how good she is. Australia are well on top now. Last ball of the over, must must must execute here to come back from this. Times this well off the back foot, gets one off it. Australia well on top now. AUSTRALIA 6/218 (47) Blackwell 63 Gardner 26
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
46TH OVER Shrubsole is bowling well, Blackwell defends back to her. Quick single as Blackwell dabs into the covers, good stuff. Big inside edge, and the Australians will get two and Gardner nearly throws her back out trying to hit this out of the park. Third man is up, Ash Gardner finds her as she dabs down there. She now finds point as she pushes off the back foot. Last ball coming up, huge. Tries to heave it away, bit of a mix up but all is well. AUSTRALIA 6/203 (46) Blackwell 61 Gardner 18
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
45TH OVER Nat Sciver back into the attack, it's game on, with 37 needed off 36. Ash Gardner slams this to point, but she finds the fielder, timed it beautifully. SIX THAT'S HUGE!!! Short and wide, Gardner helps it on its way for a massive blow down near the fine leg boundary! Slower ball from Sciver, good comeback, not run there as Gardner defends down to third man. Short and wide, Gardner slams this to cover, not a good delivery. Another short one, and Gardner slams this to deep square leg for one. Blackwell dabs this one down to long on for one, great couple of overs from the Aussies, the 200 is up. AUSTRALIA 6/200 (45) Blackwell 60 Gardner 16
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
44TH OVER Shrubsole back into the attack. Blackwell defends one, and then gets a single down to fine leg. Gardner is the new batsmen, and will need to be getting quick singles to get Blackwell on strike. Must keep up with the run rate. FOUR Or four will do, I guess. Full toss from Shrubsole, first bad ball all day from her, and Gardner gets all of this, not the worst first shot. FOUR Another one!! Crowd are getting into it! Back to back boundaries, as Gardner drives strongly, and now has 8 off 2 balls! Pushes for a single now, smart cricket there, really smart cricket. Blackwell defends well, out to cover. Good over from the Aussies. AUSTRALIA 6/192 (44) Blackwell 59 Gardner 9
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
43RD OVER Blackwell punches this out to Winfield in the deep, gets her one. AUSTRALIA 6/182 (43) Blackwell 58 Gardner 0
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
43RD OVER McGrath is looking calmer, she gets her single straight away, Blackwell is back on strike, and defends back to Brunt. Blackwell cuts hard, and finds the third man, only gets one for her troubles. OUT Brunt has got her second! Bit short, slower ball, and McGrath hits this high and long, but straight down Winfield's throat, big wicket with McGrath just starting to look settled!
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
42ND OVER McGrath is under pressure here, as she slams this back at Marsh. Just needs a single, and finds one, as she gets a run down to deep mid wicket. Blackwell goes aerial, and gets one, McGrath back on strike. Mcgrath keeps looking for the big shot, and isn't finding it. Needs to find a single, anywhere. She manages to find a single, and gets one, and Blackwell is back on strike. Blackwell reverse sweeps, and they get two, or should, as a direct hit sees the umpire go upstairs. She's fine, no worries there as the bat is down. AUSTRALIA 5/179 (42) Blackwell 56 McGrath 6
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
41ST OVER Blackwell dabs this one down to third man. McGrath is struggling, she continues to find the fielder, constantly. Needs to clear her head, keep it clear and bat normally. Wide ball as Taylor takes the pegs from the legside, we're going to go upstairs, but McGrath's backfoot did not move, good glove work by Taylor, but that's not out. Hit on the pads now, big shout but not out. Brunt is all over McGrath, there is pressure here, and McGrath needs to find some runs, quickly. Ohhh nearly bowls her too. McGrath's head is all over the place, she's just swinging and hoping. Ugly swipe, how it didn't bowl her, I don't know. McGrath finally grabs a single, down to mid on. Don't know how good that is for the Aussies. Great over from Brunt, England are slowly getting on top. AUSTRALIA 5/174 (41) Blackwell 53 McGrath 4
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
40TH OVER Laura Marsh returns, as Alex Blackwell drives to mid off, no run there. Blackwell comes down, misses it as it cannons into her pads. Blackwell gets this away now. McGrath needs to find a single here, she can't keep chewing up balls. Quick single taken by McGrath, close but she's home as Knight misses the pegs at mid off. FOUR Byes now as Marsh pushes this past Blackwell, no wide there but Taylor misses it. England are looking at the umpire, but Blackwell can do whatever she wants at the crease. Marsh has pulled out twice now because blackwell is moving around, so there is some confusion. Blackwell then gets away a single as she dances down. AUSTRALIA 5/171 (40) Blackwell 52 McGrath 3
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
39TH OVER Katherine Brunt is back into the attack. Tahlia McGrath is on strike, and defends this out to mid off. and then out to mid on. Short one from Brunt, and McGrath defends this into the on side. Big full toss, and she can't get this away, as she nails the fielder at mid wicket. Five dots in a row here, McGrath will be looking for a single. A maiden, as McGrath smokes this right at the fielder at mid wicket again. AUSTRALIA 5/164 (39) Blackwell 50 McGrath 2