England women’s head coach Jon Lewis says his side are in a “really good position” for the upcoming Ashes series in Australia, which he describes as cricket’s “toughest challenge”.

Lewis’ side bounced back from their T20 World Cup defeat with a commanding win in the multi-format series in South Africa earlier this month.

The Women’s Ashes series will begin on January 11 with three ODI matches, followed by three T20 matches and a Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 30.

Lewis said: “We’ve just come back from a very successful tour of South Africa which gave us some really good preparation.

“We’re in a really good place now. We’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on what happened at the World Cup and we’re in a better place now than when we got on the plane to South Africa.”

“It’s a very, very difficult challenge. Is it the most difficult challenge? Yeah, probably, that’s pretty much it.”

“Winning a 50-over World Cup in India is also a huge challenge, so 2025 is a big year for us. We have two very different challenges ahead of us and we’re really looking forward to it.”

England, led by captain Heather Knight, are bidding to win the Ashes for the first time in 10 years, while Australia will retain their title in a thrilling draw series in England in 2023. champion.

Australia also bounced back from their T20 World Cup defeat – they lost to South Africa in the semi-finals – to beat India 3-0 in the one-day international series.

Lewis added: “Their record has to be respected and as a team they have to be respected and we really realize what a challenge it is going to be to play our best cricket in Australia.

“I think what we should focus on is not the opponent but ourselves and how we want to play.

“If we play our best cricket it will be a competitive series and I hope everyone will be fully entertained like they were in England a few years ago.

“We’re very confident but we also understand that playing Australia is a huge challenge for any team.”

England have named four potential Ashes starters.

All-rounder Freya Kemp and spinner Linsey Smith have both been named in the T20 squad, while wicketkeeper Bess Heath has been named in the T20 and Test squad as the trio will compete for the Ashes Cup debut.

Seamer Ryana MacDonald-Gay has been included in the Test squad after impressing on her debut during the recent tour of South Africa.

Nat Seaver-Brent will be a key figure in England’s Ashes bid after a stellar year that ended with her fastest-ever 96-ball haul in a Women’s Test match against South Africa 100% record.

England Women’s ODI Line-up: Heather Knight (Captain; Somerset), Tammy Beaumont (Flames), Lauren Bell (Hampshire), Maya Buzier (Hampshire), Alice Kapp West (Surrey), Kate Cross (Lancashire), Charlie Dean (Somerset), Sophia Dunkley (Surrey), Sophie Ecclestone (Lancashire) ), Lauren Filler (Durham), Sarah Glenn (The Flames), Amy Jones (The Flames), Nat Seaver-Brent (The Flames), Danny Wyatt-Hodge (Surrey).

England Women’s IT20 squad: Heather Knight (Captain; Somerset), Lauren Bell (Hampshire), Maia Bouchier (Hampshire), Alice Capsey (Surrey), Charlie Dean (Somerset), Sophia Dunkley (Surrey), Sophie Ecclestone (Lancashire), Lauren Filer (Durham), Danielle Gibson (Somerset), Sarah Glenn (The Flame), Beth Heath (Durham), Amy Jones (The Flame), F. Rhea Kemp (Hampshire), Lindsay Smith (Hampshire), Nat Seaver-Brent (The Flames), Danny Wyatt-Hodge (Surrey).

England women’s Test squad: Heather Knight (Captain; Somerset), Tammy Beaumont (Flames), Lauren Bell (Hampshire), Maya Buchier (Hampshire), Kate Cross ( Lancashire), Charlie Dean (Somerset), Sophia Dunkley (Surrey), Sophie Ecclestone (Lancashire), Lauren Filer (Durham) ), Beth Heath (Durham), Amy Jones (Flame), Ryana MacDonald-Gay (Surrey), Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (Surrey).

2025 Women’s Ashes Schedule

UK date and time

CommBank Women’s Ashes ODI Series

• First foreign direct investment: North Sydney Oval, Sydney – Saturday 11 January (11.30pm)
• The second foreign direct investment: Junction Oval, Melbourne – Monday 13 January (11.05pm)
• The third overseas direct investment: Bellerive Oval, Hobart – Thursday 16 January (11.05pm)

CommBank Women’s Ashes IT20 Series

• First IT20: SCG, Sydney – Monday 20 January (8:40am)
• The second IT20: Manuka Oval, Canberra – Thursday 23 January (8:40am)
• The 3rd IT20: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide – Saturday 25 January (8.10am)

CommBank Women’s Ashes Test Match

• One-time test: MCG, Melbourne – January 30 to February 2 (3:30am)

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