Australia captain Alyssa Healy is looking forward to the challenge of an elongated format for the Women’s Ashes series opener, which will be a five-day Test, as opposed to the traditional four days. The last six women’s Test matches have all ended in draws, which led to the extension. Healy anticipates trench warfare in the matches while acknowledging that the fifth day would not guarantee a decisive result. She also expressed excitement at the prospect of an unknown line-up for both teams, with new players giving a glimpse of what the Ashes series will look like for the next 10 years.
Meanwhile, England head coach Jon Lewis has opted for an aggressive and attacking line-up for the team. The XI includes seamer Lauren Filer, who will make her international debut, and a Test bow for attacking batter Danni Wyatt. Healy has worked with Lewis during the Women’s Premier League in India in March and is unsurprised at England’s announcement.
While Australia will be without Meg Lanning for medical reasons, Healy hopes that her team will secure a victory against the English to take an early lead in the Ashes series. The Australians have held the urn since 2015 and won three of the last four series between the two teams, with one draw. It remains to be seen which side will come out on top in the elongated format of the upcoming matches.
