*WOMEN’S ASHES ENG VS AUS 2023:WHITE BALL LEG- 1st T20I PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
Australia bettered England at their own home ground. They took the game deep, the 5 day test match made a whole lot sense as the visitors brushed the hosts aside to lead the Women’s Ashes. But here we are, some days later, heading into another competitive leg of this Australia’s tour of England as they prepare for a T20I series which will be rightly followed by its ODI counterpart. England will be itching to avenge their test match loss and and what better than to do it in front of a hostile crowd here in Birmingham.
Australia were sensational in this format this year, having defeated SA in the finals of the T20 worldcup and reigning as champions again. England on the other hand, were beaten by the runners up of the same tournament- The proteas. There will be some wounds left to heal and the home side would look to start on a bright note against arguably the best women’s side to exist. The two outfits have given each other neck to neck competition and have similar stats to show for. Winning 19 games each with a tie to round up their stats, this could be a mouthwatering clash to begin with.
There have been a total of 17 WT20Is played at Edgbaston so far out of which nine have been won by teams batting first. As the data suggests, there isn’t any major toss advantage so both teams would be heading into the toss satisfied and not glum. Gear up for what’s expected to be an enthralling battle against two of the best white ball outfits in women’s cricket as they go up against one another.
*AUSTRALIA PROBABLE XI:*
Alyssa Healy(c)(wk), Beth Mooney, Phoebe Litchfield, Ashleigh Gardner, Alana King, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Wareham, Jess Jonassen, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown
Keep an eye on Jess Jonassen. With age, she has only gotten better and with an average of less than 20 with 91 wickets to her name in this format, she is already a superstar. She isn’t the biggest turners of the ball but likes to stick to her strengths and vary her pace and lengths, making her an extremely dangerous triumph card for Australia. England would be vary of the difficulties she can pose specially at the Edgbaston pitch which offers great deal of help in the latter half to the spin bowling type.
The southpaw Mooney turns into gold when she faces England. She strikes at over 130 with an average of 47 while playing against England in T20 internationals. These are incredible numbers specially for an opener given England boast of a good new ball bowling attack. She could take matters into her hands again and could hurt England in so many different ways. She has also hit one hundred and four fifties against her favorite rivals.
*ENGLAND PROBABLE XI:*
Danielle Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight(c), Amy Jones(wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Issy Wong, Charlotte Dean, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell
Nat Sciver Brunt was among the leading run-getters of this year’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, ending the tournament with 216 runs in 5 innings with an average of 72. She was a decent bat even against Australia in the one off test and with her coming with some form, it’s in all likeliness that we may see her cash in on this opportunity and try to go big against the visitors.
Left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone was the team’s highest wicket-taker in this year’s T20 World Cup and is known to keep things tight as well. Been a massive admirer of the tall spin bowler, love how she operates and traps batters. Her ability to be deceptive is encouraging and she is coming on the back of a marvellous 10-fer in the recently concluded test match. She could be the one for England to topple the mighty Aussie batting lineup.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR AUS:*
Highest run getter- Beth Mooney/Alyssa Healy
Highest wicket taker- Jess Jonassen/Megan Schutt
*FOR ENGLAND:*
Highest run getter- Nat Sciver Brunt/Heather Knight
Highest wicket taker- Sophie Eccelestone/Issy Wong
*FOR THE GAME:*
Australia to win