*ENGLAND WOMEN VS AUSTRALIA WOMEN 3rd ODI IN A 3 MATCH ODI SERIES 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
You don’t understand the tussle if you don’t see it. Such has been the magic that this series has emitted from the word “go” and it doesn’t seem to stop at any point in time. The last game was a thriller of all sorts, one for the ages and one which would be remembered for long. Though Australia, having capitalised on all the crunch moments, won it, England were not that far behind and with a final game in the reckoning, we could see this Women’s Ashes head towards an enthralling finish.
Australian Women have already retained the Ashes, which is a multi format series between these two very competitive sides but the final game of the tour gives the host a chance to do a double vs Australia in both T20Is and ODIs, a feat which many others would only dream of. Nat Sciver Brunt was a gutted lady on the 16th as she raced away to a century but it came in a losing cause. Her alongside the entire English crew would be aiming at making amends at Taunton and finish this series and this tour on a high. Nothing like a positive finish specially in England.
*AUS PROBABLE XI:*
Alyssa Healy(c)(wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Elyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahlia Mcgrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Megan Schutt
Australia would require the services of Gardner, who was at the peak of her powers the other day, specially at the death. She was in her zone, bowling economically well and keeping it really tight. One of the reasons why the Aussie women were able to defend the score. In a decider where Australia’s reputation is placed, the expedience of Gardner would be an icing on the cake.
Excited to watch the duo of Wareham and Alana King operate in tandem. The two leggies bowled with precision and were succesful in choking down the opposition. Australia would love to see the two repeat their heroics in the middle overs again where England could look to take control of the game, like most other ODI playing teams. We saw a mediocre performance from Schutt and Jonassen last game, a sight which is not seen very often. The duo would be raring to get back to their best with the bowl in tomorrows game.
Healy admitted the pressure that comes along with the captaincy of Australia and it’s visible in her scores. In the two games so far, she has accumulated just 21 runs at an average of 10.5 and is yet to lead from the front. The proactive Aussie who’s known for her attacking skillset has a big knock due. Could tomorrow be the day finally?
*ENG PROBABLE XI:*
Sophia Dunkley, Beaumont, Heather Knight(c), Nat Sciver Brunt, Alice Capsey, Danielle Wyatt, Amy Jones(Wk), Sophie Eccelestone, Sarah Glenn, Kate Cross, Lauren Bell
A gutted end was how Nat’s innings came to a closure. She failed to bring the Ashes back with England despite giving her best shot. The wound of last game would be fresh and with the form that the pro is in, we can expect another impactful knock from her end. Heather Knight, having gathered 87 runs in this series already and with a point to prove in the final ODI will be key to watch.
Eccelestone just keeps better with game time. On a surface that aided spin, he capitalised bigtime and ended up leaking just 40 off her full quota of overs and picked up the scalps of three top run getters of Australia that game. Her impact with the bowl is immense and her value to the team is quality. Her hunger to keep striking gold keeps her in good stead for all games.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR AUS:*
Highest run getter- Beth Mooney/Elyse Perry
Highest wicket taker- Megan Schutt/Alana King
*FOR ENG:*
Highest run getter- Nat Sciver Brunt/Heather Knight
Highest wicket taker- Sophie Eccelestone/Kate Cross
*FOR THIS GAME:*
Australia to win the series and the game