England are the defending champions in the ODI format, whereas Australia are the defending champions in the T20 format. While the Men’s Ashes tournament was a one-sided contest, there are hopes that we will see a balanced Women’s series, given the multi-format point system followed in the Women’s Ashes
With bio-bubbles, risk of getting injured due to reduced cricket, and other mental aspects of the game, it is important to look at the head-to-head scenario of the team in different matches. Some teams perform better in knockout matches under pressure. Who will be that player for England?
T20Is
England have a winning percentage of 72%, compared to Australia’s 76%. But, Australia have won five World Cups in this format, whereas England have won only one. In terms of bilateral matches between the countries, England do have an upper hand, with 18 wins and 17 losses. Since the last World Cup in March 2020, England have won 12 of their 14 matches, while Australia have only played seven, winning five.
With Beth Mooney injured and Ellyse Perry possibly missing out on the T20 matches, the responsibility of run-scoring will be on Meg Lanning, who is also the highest run-getter against the England. Danni Wyatt would continue with her attacking approach for England. Despite an average of only 18.53, she is the highest run-getter against Australia in the squad, and her strike rate of 121 is the best. Megan Schutt and Jess Jonassen would make scoring difficult for the England batters as both have an economy of under 6.3 and average less than 20.
Tests
In all the Australia-England Test matches, only 42% of them have produced results. In the Men’s version, 73% of the games have gone on to produce a result. The Women’s game only being a four-day game, it is time that it also becomes a five-day affair. In the last 10 years, there have been only five Test matches, three of which ended in a draw. Out of the 21 matches that have produced results, Australia have won 12, and England have won nine.
Heather Knight would want to repeat her performances from her debut Test match against Australia in 2013, where she made a century (157), which remains her best score in Test matches.
Perry is the highest run-getter from both sides in the last 10 years. She has managed more than 400 runs in the last three innings and has only been dismissed once. If the England bowlers manage to get her cheaply, the Australian all-rounder will still trouble them with the ball as she is also the leading wicket-taker.
ODIs
England will enter the last stage of the Ashes as the defending champions, but their overall record is very poor against Australia. They have managed to win only 22 out of the 78 matches, and Australia will be confident as they beat them 3-0 last time around. Australia is in rich form, winning 26 of their last 27 matches. England will want to take some inspiration from the Indian women, who ender Australia’s 26-match winning streak.
Perry will again be the player to watch out for, as she is the leading run-scorer and the joint second-highest wicket-taker for Australia against England in the last 10 years. The England captain, Heather Knight, will be key to the batting lineup along with Natalie Sciver. Both of them have scored more than 300 runs against Australia.
Conclusion
With four points available for the Test match and two points each for the limited over games, England’s best bet at winning the series will be to win the Test match. A drawn Test match will mean that the team with the most wins in the limited over games will take the trophy.
Despite being the defending champions, it will be tough for England to get past Australia in the ODI format. In the ideal world, they would like to win the T-20 series, as Australia will be missing key players, follow that up with a Test win, and end up in a scenario where they need just one win in three matches in the ODI format.