England and Australia are all set to face each other in the Women’s Ashes Test, starting Thursday, January 30 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. The MCG is set to host its maiden pink-ball Test across men’s and women’s cricket in its 148-year Test history. The upcoming match is also the celebration of the 90th anniversary of women’s Test cricket.
For Australia, skipper Alyssa Healy has returned after she declared herself fit in the pre-match press conference. The 34-year-old played in the ODI series, but missed the T20I series due to an injury to her right foot and wore a moon boot during recovery. Ash Gardner did not play in the T20I series due to a calf injury, but was cleared to play in the Day-Night Test.
Australia also won’t have Megan Schutt after national selector Shawn Flegler said that the hosts would stick to their new-ball duo of Kim Garth and Darcie Brown. Earlier, Australia won the Ashes after winning the second T20I in Canberra by six runs. The Aussies have held the Ashes since 2015.
England, on the other hand, would not have all-rounder Kate Cross for the Test match. Cross hasn’t recovered from her back injury, which sidelined him from the ODI squad. In her place, England are likely to pick either Ryana MacDonald-Gay, who played in the Bloemfontein Test against South Africa, or an additional spinner.
When to watch Women’s Ashes Day-Night Test
The Women’s Ashes Day-Night Test will start at 9:00 AM IST, 02:30 PM local time and 03:30 AM GMT.
Where to watch Women’s Ashes Day-Night Test
Star Sports Network has the broadcasting rights for the Women’s Ashes. Live Streaming of the Test match will be available on Disney+Hotstar.
Squads for Women’s Ashes Day-Night Test
Australia
Alyssa Healy (c), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath (vc), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
England
Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge
Session times of Women’s Ashes Day-Night Test (IST)
First session – 9 AM to 11 AM
Second session – 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Third session – 2:00 PM to 4 PM
