The Cricketer previews the start of the Women's Ashes as Australia bid to retain the trophy they have held since 2015
Australia host England in the Women's Ashes.
England will look to regain the Women's Ashes after Australia successfully retained the trophy last time out away from home, in the English summer of 2019. England haven't won the series since 2013/14, when Charlotte Edwards' side emerged victorious in Australia.
T20Is:
January 20, Adelaide: 6.40pm (local time), 8.10am GMT
January 22, Adelaide: 1.40pm (local time), 3.10am GMT
January 23, Adelaide: 1.40pm (local time), 3.10am GMT
Test:
January 27-30, Canberra: 10am (local time), 11pm GMT
ODIs:
February 3, Canberra: 2.10pm (local time), 3.10am GMT
February 6, Melbourne: 10.05am (local time), 11.05pm GMT
February 8, Melbourne: 10.05am (local time), 11.05pm GMT
The series was initially due to begin a week later, but it has been brought forward in order to give both squads enough time to quarantine for 10 days in New Zealand and prepare for the World Cup that follows the Women's Ashes.
The winners of the Test match receive four points, with a draw resulting in a share of the spoils. For the ODIs and T20Is, the winning side gains two points. In the event of a tie or a no-result, both teams are awarded one point.
This multiformat structure is entering its sixth edition, having changed ahead of the 2013 contest. Previously, the sides faced one another purely in Test cricket. England have not won the Test leg of the series – still holding the highest weight of points – since their last series victory in 2013/14. In subsequent years, however, Australia have become increasingly dominant in the women's game as a consequence of investment from Cricket Australia and the launch of the Women's Big Bash lot long afterwards.
England last won a leg of the series in 2017/18, when they came out on top by two games to one in the T20Is. That series was drawn, with Australia retaining the Ashes, having won in England in 2015.
England won their last series against New Zealand (Christopher Lee/Getty Images)
The T20Is will be played at the Adelaide Oval, where Australia and England have faced each other just once before in the shortest format. England won on that occasion.
The Test match will take place in Canberra at the Manuka Oval – the first women's Test to be held at the venue.
The first ODI will also be played there, before the series comes to an end with two further ODIs at the Junction Oval in Melbourne, where Australia and England have never previously met in 50-over cricket.
The only real questions for both sides to answer in their squad selections came around the makeup of their spin ranks. Charlie Dean impressed during the summer and it was therefore little surprise to see her included in England's main squad, along with Southern Vipers teammate Maia Bouchier who also made her international debut in 2021.
The bigger shock, then, came from the home side, who have preferred Alana King to Amanda-Jade Wellington. The leg-spinners have both enjoyed stellar years, with Wellington the fourth-highest wicket-taker in The Hundred before returning home to take the most wickets in the Women's Big Bash. Instead, she has been included in the Australia A party that will face an England A side concurrently.
King, however, was equally impressive in the WBBL, helping Perth Scorchers to their maiden title. The selection dilemma comes on the back of long-term injuries to Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux, both of whom are out of the series.
In another sign of Australia's depth, selector Shawn Flegler offered a less-than-certain response when asked whether Ellyse Perry was still a shoo-in for the hosts' T20I side. Her bowling is yet to get back to its best after injury, while her runs in the WBBL – albeit consistent – came at a pedestrian strike rate.
Rachael Haynes, Jess Jonassen and Megan Schutt all return for Australia, as expected, after missing the summer-starting series against India.
Australia squad: Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Meg Lanning (c), Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck
England squad: Heather Knight (c) Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt
Meg Lanning is one of the world's finest batters (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Fans will be allowed into grounds, though restrictions on attendances are expected in different parts of the country.
In Australia every ball will be shown on Channel 7.
In the UK, BT Sport have exclusive rights to the Women's Ashes this winter. BT Sport 1 (Sky 413, BT 408, Virgin 527, TalkTalk 408, Plusnet TV 408) will show every ball of the series, with regular highlights packages across the day.
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