The eccentric nature of the points-based scoring system means that England have surrendered any hopes of regaining the Women’s Ashes before the flagship Test Match has even happened [they went on to lose the Test by an innings]. Whilst there is no disgrace in losing to Australia, the pre-eminent team in the world for the past 20 years, the manner of the shellacking – six defeats from six matches – must surely raise the temperature on Coach Jon Lewis and Captain Heather Knight.
Since the introduction of the points based system in 2013, whereby a win in one of the three One Day (ODI) or T20 Internationals results in two points, with the solitary Test Match counting for four, Australia have been invincible. However, an eight points apiece draw, in the previous series, held in England, in 2023, meant that although Australia retained the Ashes, there was optimism within the media that Knight’s team could break their hoodoo of hurt.
Although Alana King successfully spun Australia to a convincing victory in the first ODI, the real turning point of the series was the second match, where, having restricted Australia to an eminently gettable 180, England crumbled, folding for just 159. With their confidence shattered, it was of little surprise that England were pummelled to all parts of the Bellerive Oval by Ash Gardener, on the way to her maiden international century. This was in the course of being trounced by 86 runs in the final ODI.
In their supposedly favoured format of T20 England were almost as atrocious. After a dominant display in the first game, Australia reached the magic mark of eight points to ensure a retention of the Ashes for a six successive series. The second game was the closest of the tour so far, with England battling hard only to lose in the final over, suffering from the rain and the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern methodology. However, in the final game England were abject, where, after a stunning 94 from Australia opener Beth Mooney, they were bowled out for 90 to lose by 72 runs.
In a landmark moment for women’s cricket, the women’s Test Match, which started on the 30th of January, was be held at the MCG, Australia’s most famous ground, for the first time. Though it was a fantastic occasion, and one rightly celebrated, an England defeat meant a 16-0 series whitewash. Despite this result always being the most likely outcome, such a woeful tour, on par with any of the England men’s many many embarrassing tours down under, will mean heads will have to roll.
Photo Credits: “MCG and Rod Laver Arena” by Jeffrey from Christchurch, New Zealand is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.