Australia and England are set to face off in a four-day pink-ball Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from tomorrow as part of the ongoing Women’s Ashes. It has been a dominant series for the hosts, who have already clean-swept both the ODI and T20I series, leading the points table 12-0. With four more points up for grabs in this Test, England face a massive challenge to avoid a winless Ashes campaign.
The Women’s Ashes points system, introduced in 2013, has never seen a team finish without a single point. With England yet to register any, history is at stake.
Meanwhile, this Test will be a historic occasion as it marks the first women’s Test at the MCG since 1948-49. Additionally, it comes 90 years after the first-ever women’s Test series between Australia and England in 1934-35. It will also be the first women’s international match at the MCG since the 2020 T20 World Cup final, where Australia defeated India in front of a record crowd.
Head-to-Head in W-Tests
Overall, 52 matches – Australia 13, England 9, Drawn 30
In Australia, 25 matches – Australia 6, England 5, Drawn 14
Australia and England last met in a Test match in Nottingham in 2023, where the Aussies emerged victorious. However, when it comes to Tests in Australia, the hosts have not beaten England since 2011 in Sydney. Since then, England won in 2014 at the WACA, while the last two Ashes Tests in Australia—2017 (North Sydney) and 2022 (Canberra)—ended in draws. The 2017 day-night Test at North Sydney Oval, famous for Ellyse Perry’s double century, also finished in a stalemate.
Coming into this match, both teams are on a high from their last Test victories. Australia dominated South Africa at the WACA, winning by an innings and 284 runs, while England secured a 286-run victory over South Africa in Bloemfontein. That win was England’s first Test victory since 2014, making it a landmark result for Heather Knight and her team.
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Squads
Australia
Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath, Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
Adding to Australia’s boost, star all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner has been cleared to play after recovering from a minor calf injury that ruled her out of the T20I series. Skipper Alyssa Healy has also confirmed her availability after a stress reaction in her foot forced her to wear a moon boot last week.
“I am good to go. We will make a final decision on what the XI looks like over the next little period … but I feel like I am ready to go, so we will wait and see what happens,” Healy said in the pre-match press conference.
She emphasised her fitness by saying: “The final XI has not quite been decided upon just yet, but I am standing here in front of you without a moon boot, saying I am ready to go.” However, if she does not make the final XI, it could pave the way for a potential Test debut for Georgia Voll.
England
Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge
Meanwhile, for England, skipper Knight has confirmed that Kate Cross is still not fit enough to feature in this Test despite working hard to recover from a back injury. Sophia Dunkley will return to the XI as an extra batter, while the final bowling spot remains undecided.
“We have got 12 at the moment, we are just deciding on the final bowler. We are going to play the extra batter, so Sophia Dunkley will come in from that Test match. And then we are just deciding between a seamer or a spinner for that final spot. We will have another look at the wicket tonight,” Knight said.
Spinners have played a dominant role in this Ashes series, much like they did in the previous Ashes Test in 2023. However, with a typical covering of green grass on the MCG surface, it remains to be seen if conditions will mirror those seen in men’s Tests and Sheffield Shield cricket.
Players to watch out for
Australia
Star all-rounder Ellyse Perry will be key due to her contributions with both bat and ball. Against England, she has already scored 807 runs in 17 Test innings, at an impressive average of 67.25, including three fifties and two centuries. Her famous 213* in the 2017 North Sydney Test remains one of the greatest knocks in women’s Test history. Perry (928 runs) is now just 72 runs away from becoming only the second Australian woman to reach 1,000 Test runs.
With the ball, she has also been a force, picking up 36 wickets in 18 innings at an average of 19.11. Another player who could pose a big threat to England is Annabel Sutherland. The young all-rounder has been in outstanding form across formats and could play a vital role in both batting and bowling departments.
England
Knight needs to lead from the front with the bat and her captaincy. She has 913 Test runs and is just 87 runs away from becoming only the eighth England player to reach 1,000 Test runs. Interestingly, in her last four Test innings in Australia, she has scored 357 runs at an incredible average of 178.5 (62, 79*, 168*, 48).
With the ball, England will be hoping for Nat Sciver-Brunt to step up. She has been a proven performer in Tests, picking up 43 wickets in 19 innings against Australia at a strong average of 19.65. So far, this Ashes has been disappointing for the veteran all-rounder, but this Test might be the perfect stage for her to bounce back with a match-winning performance.
Timings, streaming and telecast details
The match is scheduled to begin at 9:00 am IST, at the MCG – from January 30 to February 2. It will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network in India, specifically through the Star Sports Select 2 channels. Additionally, live streaming will be available on the Disney+ Hotstar app and website.
Also Read: Mooney shines as Australia complete T20I sweep in Women’s Ashes