Charlotte Edwards has urged her England team-mates to channel the spirit of their most recent Ashes success when they take to the field for the sole Test in the current series at Canterbury on Tuesday.
England retained the Ashes in 2014 thanks to a remarkable Test victory at Perth, where the tourists won a game that fluctuated from start to finish by 61 runs in exceptional heat on a pitch that became increasingly difficult to bat on.
With England currently trailing 4-2 in the points format after some disappointing results in the three ODIs, Edwards is using the memories from the win at the Waca to inspire confidence that the team can rally in Kent.
“That feeling when we won in Perth is one of the best feelings I’ve had in cricket,” Edwards said. “To win out there, when everything was against us – the heat, playing Australia at the Waca, where no one apparently wins, was one of our greatest achievements. I hope we don’t have the same every night because it won’t do much for my heart. We need to have that fight and determination here over the next four days if we want to emulate that victory.”
There will be little in this Canterbury pitch to replicate the bounce and pace of the Waca. Edwards said it was a bat-first pitch, and it is expected to be slow. The last first-class match at Kent was the Australian tour match in June. The outfield will be quick, giving the batsmen value for shots, but there is a danger the cricket could become attritional quite quickly.
A pitch with pace would give both sides a chance to exploit it. If Holly Ferling can rediscover her rhythm for Australia, she will trouble the England batting. For the home side, Kate Cross’s natural pace and angled bounce may prove effective.
While Edwards has led her country 22 times in Test matches, Meg Lanning has only two Test appearances and this will be her first outing as a Test captain. She was exceptional in the one-day series, rotating her bowlers and setting aggressive fields. “I’m not going to be too different in the Test,” she said. “You get a bit more time to see if your plans are working and then adjust it from there, whereas in the shorter format you have to adjust quickly.
“Captaincy really is about going with your gut and trying to be as proactive as you can. Both myself and the team are really excited about playing.”
Lanning has been in imperious form throughout the series. She scored heavily in Australia’s victories at Bristol and Worcester. However, four-day Test cricket offers a new challenge. Although England played a one-off Test against India last year, neither team plays red-ball cricket frequently.
Edwards’ experience gives her an advantage: she knows how to marshall bowlers and how to set up a Test innings. Lanning has a more raw side, although her vice-captain, Alex Blackwell, has considerable experience.
The bowling for both sides will be key. England were tight at the start of the one-day games but they were unable to make breakthroughs. Their fielding has also disintegrated as the series has progressed. Australia’s bowlers found a rhythm much more quickly, but Ferling’s form will remain a concern. They may also opt for two spinners, with Jess Jonassen joining Erin Osborne.
“I think our bowlers have been quite unlucky so far,” added Edwards. “They’ve bowled very well up front with little reward and hopefully they will come to the fore in the Test match. Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole have led the attack brilliantly and we’re looking for big things from them over the next few days.”
