Amy Lofthouse sets the scene before England v Australia
It is cloudy, humid and bright in lovely Bristol, where an unchanged England have won the toss and decided to bowl first.
The best thing about this ground – apart from the salted caramel cake, which I have demolished in record time – is the relaxed atmosphere. There are lots of families here, sat on benches with tea and mini cricket sets. As it was at Taunton, it’s so nice to see so many kids here. The ECB does a great marketing job when it comes to the Women’s Ashes. Just wandering around the ground, watching families playing cricket, is a really lovely thing. Walking past them and get hammered in the ankle by the cracking on-drive of a five-year-old is, however, not. I’m limping.
On to the actual cricket, Australia have made two changes to their squad. Nicole Bolton, who missed the first one-day game with concussion, has returned, replacing Jess Cameron. Expensive spinner Kristen Beams has been dropped in favour of Megan Schutt. Schutt, another pace bowler, will hopefully offer Meg Lanning the control she lacked in the first game. England have rightly stuck with their successful squad. I’m fascinated to see how Anya Shrubsole and Kate Cross go under these cloudy skies. Swing, swing and more swing, I hope.
England win the toss and will bowl first under cloudy, humid skies. Bolton returns for Oz. #WomensAshes
— Amy Lofthouse (@amy_cricket) July 23, 2015
