England’s and Australia’s women are primed for another attacking game in their final one-day international of the Ashes series at Worcester. “The luxury of playing a series is that you can learn as you go along,” said the England left-hander Lydia Greenway. “After seeing the Australian bowlers bowl full and straight in our last game we’ve gone away and adapted to that.”
England drew first blood with a convincing four-wicket victory at Taunton but Australia’s captain, Meg Lanning, led her side to a 63-run win on Thursday.
England have had much to ponder before Sunday’s match. Their bowlers have attacked with discipline but have lacked penetration. The lower order crumbled at Bristol, the last seven wickets falling for 40 runs. Batsmen on both teams have made starts but, while Lanning pushed on to compile 104, England’s batsmen have not capitalised on theirs.
At Taunton England offered little width with the ball, frustrating the Australian batsmen. In the second ODI England’s seamers took their eye off their targets: Katherine Brunt dropped too short, Anya Shrubsole lost her line and Kate Cross failed to find a breakthrough.
Elyse Villani, Australia’s top-order bat, has twice made starts but failed to go on. She attacked England with gusto at Bristol. Her partnership with Nicole Bolton was aggressive and provided the perfect platform for Lanning to go on and win the match. “I’m pretty happy if they bowl me a short ball,” Villani said. “I think it’s an opportunity to score.
“I’m not too worried about the short stuff. I’m happy that Katherine Brunt gives me a bouncer every now and again and hopefully I can pull it for four.”
Australia look to have a good team spirit, although one concern is Holly Ferling. The 19-year-old was easily the quickest bowler in the last two Ashes contests, with England struggling with her extra bounce. However, a remodelled run-up has thrown her pace and rhythm awry, making her a target.
“We’ve seen Holly quite a bit now,” said Greenway. “The more you play teams the more you can work out what they are trying to do and adjust accordingly. The more you see players, the more you learn. I think her pace is pretty similar to before.”
England may make changes. Amy Jones has struggled in the middle order and may be replaced by Lauren Winfield. They may also opt to rotate their bowlers, perhaps incorporating Jenny Gunn, who has a knack of picking up wickets at key moments. “It has got to the stage where no one is certain of their place and that’s a good thing,” added Greenway. “There’s a lot of new young players coming through. It keeps you on your toes and makes you practise doubly hard.”
Australia will look to preserve their winning formula. Megan Schutt bowled well and England will need to find a way to counterattack or their Ashes hopes will take a bruising before the Test, starting on 11 August, and three T20Is.
