highly anticipated 2025 Women’s Ashes Series Scheduled to start on January 11, 2025, England Go to Australia Reclaim the prestigious trophy. The multi-format series promises exciting cricket with both teams keen to prove their mettle after a tough rivalry in the previous edition.

Historic rivalry reignited

The Women’s Ashes is more than just a game; It’s a legendary rivalry that has captivated fans for decades. The 2025 series marks a significant moment as it will celebrate 90 years of women’s Test cricket with the first women’s Test match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) since 1949. Australia are currently the Ashes champions, having maintained their dominance since 2014, but England are determined to break that record and lift the title for the first time in more than a decade.

Understand the format of women’s ashes

The form of female ashes differs from that of male ashes and takes a variety of forms, including:

• Three One-Day Internationals (ODI): Each win in this format earns the team two points.
• Three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is): Similar to ODIs, two points are awarded for victory in T20 matches.
• a four-day test match: This game is worth four points. In the event of a tie, both teams receive two points each.

This structure encourages teams to excel across formats, making every game crucial in the pursuit of overall supremacy. The team with the highest score at the end of the series will be declared the winner.

Teams with points to prove

Both Australia and England come into this series with something to prove. Despite Australia’s historic success, they came close to losing the last Ashes series in England but their performance was disappointing. They were determined to reassert their dominance. England, on the other hand, will be aiming to end their long wait for an Ashes victory with success in their latest white-ball tournament.

Also read: Women’s Ashes 2025: Can England end 10-year drought against Australia?

Australia’s best XI for Ashes vs England

The upcoming Women’s Ashes series provides a great opportunity for Australia’s women’s cricket team to showcase their talent and depth. Here’s a detailed analysis of England’s best line-up for the series.

Alyssa Healy (three)

Role: wicketkeeper batsman
Advantages: Healy is known for his top-notch explosive batting and excellent fielding skills. Her aggressive style can set the tone of an innings, making her a key player in ODIs.
expect: As captain, she is expected to be at the forefront of scoring and strategic decisions on the field.

Beth Mooney

Role: batter
Advantages: Mooney is a versatile opener with solid skills and the ability to speed up the game when needed while also being able to speed up the game when needed. Her experience in high-pressure situations adds significant value.
expect: Mooney is expected to be consistent at the top level and convert starts into big scores, especially in crucial matches against England.

Phoebe Litchfield

Role: batter
Advantages: Litchfield showed promise with his aggressive batting style and great spin ability. Her youthful energy and adaptability make her a dynamic player.
expect: As a young talent, expect her to seize the opportunity and make a significant contribution in the midfield.

Talia McGrath(vc)

Role: All-rounder
Advantages: McGrath brings balance to the team with her all-round ability, excelling in both batting and bowling. She has a powerful batting style and can bowl crucial overs.
expect: As vice-captain, she is expected to support Healy’s leadership while making impactful performances with bat and ball.

Elise Perry

Role: All-rounder
Advantages: Perry is one of the most accomplished players in women’s cricket, known for her exceptional skills as a batsman and bowler. Her experience and versatility are invaluable assets.
expect: Perry is expected to be solid with both bat and ball, especially in key phases of the game.

Ashley Gardner

Role: All-rounder
Advantages: Gardner is known for his powerful batting and effective spin bowling. She has a knack of taking wickets at crucial moments while also being able to speed up the scoring.
expect: With his ability to change games quickly, Gardner is expected to be a game-winner in tight situations.

Annabelle Sutherland

Role: All-rounder
Advantages: Sutherland has emerged as a promising all-rounder with the ability to bowl at medium pace and contribute valuable runs. Her athleticism also enhances her defensive abilities.
expect: She is expected to provide depth in batting and bowling, especially in the later stages of the innings.

Megan Shute

Role: bowler
Advantages: Shute is one of Australia’s leading bowlers, known for his swing bowling and ability to take wickets in the powerplay. Her experience adds depth to the bowling attack.
expect: Shute is expected to effectively lead the bowling attack as they strive for an early breakthrough against England’s top order.

Darcy Brown

Role: bowler
Advantages: Brown made an impact with her bowling pace and bounce. Her youthful energy brings energy to the team.
expect: She is expected to complement Schutte by providing pace options and taking wickets at crucial stages of the game.

Alana King

Role: bowler
Advantages: King has emerged as an adept leg-spinner who can turn games around with her wicket-taking ability. She is especially effective when cornering.
expect: King is expected to play a key role in the middle order, aiming to curb runs while taking important wickets.

Georgia Wareham

Role: bowler
Advantages: Wareham’s leg-spin adds variety to Australia’s bowling attack while also enhancing her ability to take wickets at crucial moments. Her defensive skills also deserve praise.
expect: Wareham is expected to make a big contribution in the middle of the game by putting pressure on batters and looking for breakthroughs.

Also read: Ashley Gardner and Tammy Beaumont advocate for more Tests in Women’s Ashes series