For English women’s cricket, Australia represents a special kind of angst. Clare Connor speaks of a career being tormented by flint-eyed Antipodeans until the drought-breaking Ashes of 2005. Some 2013 World Cup players grumble that Australia blocked them from the final by losing to the West Indies. Then there is the 2015 Test humiliation at Canterbury, and the calamity when finals-bound at the last World Twenty20. There have been successes too, but they’ve remained in shadow.
Ahead of what should be an intimidating tour Down Under, though, England are coming in on a high. Bubbling over following a joyful and fearless World Cup triumph in July, they’ll begin the Women’s Ashes in the same 50-over format, against an Australian team that looked out of sorts and was dumped in the semis.
Yank out a piece as structurally integral as Meg Lanning, and the green-and-gold Jenga tower is wobbling. Shoulder surgery hasn’t just cost the Australians a captain or a first drop – there’s a Bradman-sized gulf between Lanning and the rest of the world. In her place is Rachael Haynes, a peripheral top-order bat who wouldn’t be guaranteed a game had she not been unexpectedly made captain ahead of long-term national deputy and New South Wales leader Alex Blackwell.
The squads are improved for pace, with Megan Schutt supported by the Test and ODI additions of exciting left-arm quick Lauren Cheatle and seaming all-rounder Tahlia McGrath. But Cheatle is 18 and coming off injury, McGrath is 21 and has played one game, and Ellyse Perry’s bowling at the World Cup seemed to have lost some of its pop. Test-only selection Belinda Vakarewa is another teenager with a lone ODI to her name.
Australia’s batting isn’t much more convincing. Beth Mooney is a gun when firing, but tends to throw in dismissals her opponents haven’t earned. Nicole Bolton has a strong record but England’s strategists are confident they have her worked out. Haynes was a recent fill-in after years out of the side. Alyssa Healy is just starting to deliver on her potential, Elyse Villani has only showed glimpses.
There are two keys. Perry is more important now with bat than ball, given her freakish consistency: she was dismissed without a half-century once in eight games at the World Cup. Blackwell, a veteran of 14 years in green and gold, has the power side of her game that she’s recently added to her durability. Her 90 off 56 balls to nearly save the World Cup semi-final was one of cricket’s great surprises.
Australia’s spin group is their most potent, and coach Matthew Mott believes in the primacy of slow bowling. Kristen Beams and Amanda Wellington are a study in leg-spin contrasts, one zipping, the other ripping. Ashleigh Gardner’s off-breaks have recently excelled, while Jess Jonassen’s left arm orthodox produces threat through economy.
England’s squad is much more settled, the only change from the World Cup being teenage spinner Sophie Ecclestone in for seamer Beth Langston. England still boast the best opening quicks in world cricket, with the aggression of Katherine Brunt and the swing of Anya Shrubsole. The latter came of age at Lord’s with her six wickets, while the former has set the standard for years in terms of never shirking a fight.
Tammy Beaumont at the top of the order topped the World Cup list with 410 runs, while wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor made 396 in her comeback to the game from an extended health break. Natalie Sciver has finally found full confidence with the bat, smashing two centuries in the tournament, and is close to the most devastating striker in the game. Heather Knight as captain is a calming influence in the field and can rebuild an innings with the bat, while recent inclusion Fran Wilson has brought cheek, dexterity and a lack of fear.
Alex Hartley was a revelation with her left-arm spin, notably bowling Lanning all ends up in Bristol. If she is the new surprise, Jenny Gunn is the older, having made a comeback when her career looked done. Her slow-medium pace may never be fashionable, but it’s still hard to hit, while her own lower-order striking has never been better.
More than anything technical, these players have found enjoyment. They like each other, they like the game. The day before the final at Lord’s, everyone seemed perfectly relaxed, all smiles, ready to take on the world. But perhaps the key moment was earlier in the tournament. From well behind, the Australians narrowed their requirement to 23 runs from 14 balls. With four wickets in hand and hitters at the crease, this is when the ogres of old would have monstered England. The new breed smiled, held their catches, and won by three. If they can remain that cheerful in Australia, who knows what they can achieve.
