The 2023 Women’s Ashes opens with the first 5-day women’s Test Match since 1992 where England will start their campaign to regain the Ashes at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. For both England coach, Jon Lewis and Australia coach, Shelley Nitschke, this is their first Ashes series in their roles – England have something to prove, Australia have something to defend.
With the match being five days rather than the usual four in the women’s game, a result is highly expected, even if some rain causes delays. With four points for the taking, it’s a vital opportunity for England to get ahead in the multi-format series, needing to win the series to win back the Ashes.
Preparation ✅
Excitement ⬆️📍 Trent Bridge #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/5AOptoepca
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 21, 2023
Heather Knight (c) – All-rounder
Despite an illustrious 13-year career so far in an England shirt, this will only be Heather Knight’s 11th Test Match. Knight was appointed as England skipper in June 2016 and has since led the side in 3 Ashes series – two away and one on home soil. Although perhaps England have been outperformed in recent years by their rivals Down Under, this is Knight’s first Ashes series working with Jon Lewis and their new style of ‘fearless cricket’.
Knight’s individual form hasn’t been spectacular of late however, her ability to perform in important situations has been present across her career. The all-rounder missed most of the 2022 season due to a hip injury and it is unknown how much she will be able to contribute bowling-wise.
Nat Sciver-Brunt (vc) – All-rounder
Nat Sciver-Brunt is one of the players to keep an eye on. There’s always a sense of calmness and focus when Sciver-Brunt is at the crease. She always looks ever so comfortable and assured in her batting whether that’s pulling of her speciality shot ‘the Nat-meg’ or clinically finding the boundary. The end of the English summer saw Sciver-Brunt take a break from cricket after a mentally and physically exhausting summer where she captained in place of Knight. However, on return to cricket, the all-rounder has not failed to find her top form again.
With a result likely, Sciver-Brunt will be a key member of England’s top order – especially given her impressive 169* in England’s most recent Test match in June 2022.
Tammy Beaumont – Batter
Tammy Beaumont is another stalwart within England’s side despite plenty of youth emerging. Similar to many England players, Beaumont’s Test debut was against Australia back in the 2013/14 Ashes series. Given that red ball cricket is minimal in the women’s game – Beaumont hasn’t had the opportunity to have many strong performances in whites but her ODI form has shown her potential. Furthermore, Beaumont is also coming of a double century against Australia A in a warm-up game in Derby where she retired out.
Having been dropped from England’s T20 side ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Beaumont’s ODI game has progressed and her consistency at domestic level instils confidence that she will perform well on the big stage. Trent Bridge is also home to The Blaze – Beaumont’s regional side and so she is extremely familiar with the ground.
Lauren Bell – Pace Bowler
Lauren Bell came onto the international scene in last summer’s Test Match against South Africa where she took 2/47. Now having made all three debuts, Bell is an established member of England’s bowling attack. Nicknamed ‘The Shard’, her height and swing she gets with the ball set her apart from the rest of England’s bowlers. Given the success of similar players such as Stuart Broad at Trent Bridge, it seems likely that Bell would feature in the Test Match.
Alice Capsey – All-rounder
England’s teenage star, Alice Capsey, has had a indescribable rise to international recognition over the past two years. A Test debut is still something Capsey has not ticked off the bucket-list yet and the 18-year-old will be keen to play in whites in her first Ashes series.
Capsey featured for England A in their tour of Australia during the Women’s Ashes in 2021/22 and had a stint with the Melbourne Stars in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) and so is very familiar with the Aussies. Her attacking nature perhaps has lent itself to the short formats but red ball cricket is still an unknown for Capsey. However, it has been announced that she is part of England A’s squad to face Australia A in a T20 meaning she will miss the Test match. Could this be a decision which hinders England?
Kate Cross – Pace Bowler
After recovering from a stubborn parasite, Kate Cross is back and fit to feature in the Test Match. As one of the more senior seamers, she will be essential in bringing her experience and maturity to the game, particularly given the youth of England’s bowlers.
Cross was also essential in ensuring that England Test match in the most recent Ashes series was a draw to keep the Ashes alive with her 1* in Canberra.
Alice Davidson-Richards – All-rounder
Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that Alice Davidson-Richards will get another Test cap and feature in her first Ashes test. On debut, Davidson-Richards scored a century, hitting 107 against South Africa but was mysteriously dropped later on in the series. Even though she’s a useful all-rounder, it’s tough to see where she fits into England’s line-up and with fellow all-rounder, Dani Gibson earning a call-up, it seems that Gibson may be favoured.
Sophia Dunkley – Batter
Sophia Dunkley has had the dream start to her test career. Making 74* in her debut against India, Dunkley has since featured twice – once in an Ashes series. Averaging 50 with the bat, it’s clear that Dunkley has a flair for Test cricket. Scoring 84 in the warm-up game, the batter looks in good touch heading into an important game.
Despite not bowling very much across international or regional cricket, Dunkley may be turned to for some occasional overs of spin with England only opting for one front-liner spinner.
Sophie Ecclestone – Spin Bowler
Sophie Ecclestone may need some serious physio after being picked as the only front-line spinner in England’s squad. After bowling over 60 overs during England’s test match against India at Bristol in 2021, Ecclestone continued to suffer with shoulder problems as a result of workload. It’s slightly concerning that England don’t look like they are taking this into account regarding selection.
The left-arm spinner’s ability is undeniable as she is an undroppable member of England’s side regardless of formats. Trent Bridge does typically favour seamers, but history has shown that this is no challenge for Ecclestone. Taking a five-wicket hall in the warm up match, it seems that Ecclestone is well prepared to face the Aussies. Her workload must be managed however, given that she will be expected to feature in the remaining T20s and ODIs.
Lauren Filer – Pace Bowler
Lauren Filer was considered as the slightly rogue selection for the Test squad. Having not previously seemed on England’s radar, the 22-year-old earned her first call up. Filer has worked hard over the winter with her region, Western Storm, increasing her pace. Offering some strong performances in the regional set up has aided her selection and coach Jon Lewis’ time as a fast-bowling coach potentially has enabled him to identify her key attributes and how they would work in England’s side.
It does feel slightly unlikely that she will make the final XI but, it’s an invaluable opportunity for Filer to be among the England squad and learn from some of the best players.
Danielle Gibson – All-rounder
Danielle ‘Dani’ Gibson is another player to earn her maiden call up to the squad. Included as a travelling reserve in the 2023 T20 World Cup in South Africa, Gibson’s been a rising talent on England’s radar for a number of years.
Her work over the past few years, particularly the most recent winter has developed her into a genuine all-rounder who could be picked mainly as a batter or bowler. Gibson has quite a good chance of making the XI, scoring 62* from 50 balls in the warm up fixture – one of her first chances to play red ball cricket. Taking one wicket overall, Gibson was also economical in Australia A’s first innings.
Amy Jones – Wicket-keeper
Amy Jones is pretty much guaranteed her place as wicket-keeper, having held that number one spot with the gloves since the retirement of Sarah Taylor. Jones has been quite inconsistent with the bat in recent years at international level but has remained world-class behind the stumps. It’s reassuring for England fans that Jones scored 88 from only 65 balls in the warm up game and seems to have found rhythm and confidence ahead of the Ashes.
Emma Lamb – Batter
Emma Lamb has thrived in an England shirt over the past 18-months. It wasn’t the smoothest start to her international career – not even facing a ball on debut and then getting a two-ball duck as she was thrown into England’s final ODI of the last Ashes – England already knowing defeat. However, mistakes have been rectified and opportunities have been taken as now, Emma Lamb has secured her spot as an opening batter for England in ODIs. Lamb opened for England in their most recent test but of course, with lack of multi-day cricket, it’s difficult to truly know who’s place is ‘nailed down’ so to speak.
Issy Wong – Pace Bowler
Issy Wong has been the face of England’s marketing campaign in tandem with the men’s Ashes. Alongside Lauren Bell, Issy Wong made her England debut in the test match last summer and has been on an upwards trajectory since. Playing all across the world and winning the inaugural Women’s Premier League in India have just been a small part of her year but a few inconsistent performances in the lead up to the Ashes put her selection in question.
Wong brings energy, freshness and can make the difference in high pressure situations. In the South Africa test, she made the breakthrough with the ball on a few occasions and with the result expected, players like that can only make a team stronger.
Danni Wyatt – Batter
A 13-year international career has been full of achievements for Danni Wyatt but a test debut is yet to be added to them. It appears that this will have to wait even longer as Wyatt was named in both England and England A’s squads – playing in England A’s warm-up match. Wyatt made 37 runs in the warm-up, probably not enough to see her get a debut.
Likely XI: Emma Lamb, Tammy Beaumont, Sophia Dunkley, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight ©, Dani Gibson, Amy Jones, Sophie Ecclestone, Issy Wong, Kate Cross, Lauren Bell
