England host Australia this summer in their bid to reclaim the Women’s Ashes after Australia’s resounding 12-4 victory in 2022. The series will span four weeks, beginning on June 22 (one week after the men’s Ashes begins) and runs until July 18.
The series is set to be a record-breaking one with more than 55,000 tickets already sold for the event, surpassing England women’s previous ticket sale record with six weeks still to go before the series opener.
How does the Women’s Ashes work?
The Women’s Ashes is a multi-format series, combining 20-over, 50-over, and Test cricket. The women will play one five-day Test – a change from previous years where a four-day Test was played – as well as three ODIs and three T20s.
The series uses a points system, with a Test victory worth four points (two points each in the event of a draw), and each ODI and T20 win worth two points (one point each if drawn).
Ashes fixtures and full schedule
The Women’s Ashes will be played in major venues in 2023. It begins with a Test match at Trent Bridge, before travelling to Edgbaston, the Oval, and Lord’s for their three T20s. The series finishes with ODIs in Bristol, Southampton and Taunton.
No grounds in the north of England have been selected, with Headingley and Old Trafford, both hosting men’s Ashes Tests, missing out.
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Test match, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, June 22-26
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1st T20I, Edgbaston, Birmingham, July 1, 6.35pm
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2nd T20I, The Oval, London, July 5, 6pm
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3rd T20I, Lord’s, London, July 8, 6.35pm
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1st ODI, The Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol, July 12, 1pm
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2nd ODI – The Ageas Bowl, Southampton, July 16, 11am
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3rd ODI – The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, July 18, 1pm
Tickets for the women’s Ashes are still available and can be purchased direct from the England and Wales Cricket Board by clicking here.
What is the history of the Women’s Ashes?
There were 18 purely Test series of the Women’s Ashes, held sporadically, from 1934-2011, Australia winning seven, England four and the rest were drawn.
The multi-format aspect was introduced in 2013, with England winning the first Ashes to use the new points system.
The 2023 Test format is also taking a departure from the norm, with Test matches now being held over five days instead of four. The change has been praised by England captain Heather Knight, who said a five-day Test has been “a long time coming” and that it would be “special”.
The series will also be squeezed into a shorter time period so as not to clash with The Hundred, which begins on August 1.
What is England’s record in the Women’s Ashes?
Australia have the better record in the Women’s Ashes over both guises, recording 10 victories to England’s six. Eight of the 24 series have ended in a draw, although only one of these ties has happened after the expansion to all three international formats.
England have won just one of the three Ashes series played on home soil since 2013, and have won just three of the 12 series hosted in England overall – one fewer than Australia.
The last four Women’s Ashes have produced three wins for Australia and one draw, with England last tasting victory during their 2013-14 tour when they triumphed 10-8. England endured a miserable trip Down Under for the last Ashes series in 2022 where they were well beaten, failing to record a single win across the three formats and amassing just four points,two from the drawn Test and two by virtue of washouts.
What TV channel is it on? How can I watch in the UK?
Every match of the Women’s Ashes series will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, on its Cricket and Main Event channels.
Pundits include Nick Knight, Isa Guha, Mel Jones, Simon Doull, Mark Butcher, Charlotte Edwards, Lydia Greenway, Lauren Winfield-Hill and Charles Dagnall.
Telegraph Sport will be providing coverage throughout the tournament.
Who are in the squads?
Each squad will feature 15 players, with Australia announcing their roster last month. As the home side, England’s squad announcement is expected to be made nearer to the Ashes opener on June 22.
England
The hosts will not announce their squad for the series until at least the middle of May. It is likely to include the likes of Heather Knight (captain), Danni Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amy Jones (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Charlie Dean, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Issy Wong, Emma Lamb, Freya Davies, Alison Davidson-Richards, Kate Cross, Lauren Winfield-Hill.
Australia
The squad includes three potential Test debutants, including teenager Phoebe Litchfield, as well as a host of experienced talent: Meg Lanning (captain), Alyssa Healy (vice-captain), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham.
What is our prediction?
Australia will be the heavy favourites, presenting a formidable challenge as the current holders of the 50-over Women’s World Cup, the T20 World Cup and the Ashes, as well as winning gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The most successful team in women’s cricket history, Australia are unlikely to release their grip on the urn.
England are the second best women’s multi-format cricket team in the world, and will want to use the home crowd to their advantage by getting one over their old rivals. Unfortunately, there is a vast gulf between the best and the No2 sides and, though England may win a battle or two, class usually tells across a whole campaign. We expect Australia’s defence to be robust and successful.
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