Andy Bull hits the nail on the head here with his assesment of how things have been going –. and with just a minute or two to go till play starts, the Australians are just walking out to the middle. The stattos have been digging into why the disparity between the two teams has been so big and have picked up on batting against spin: with England averaging 13 and Australia in the twenties.
Meanwhile England coach Jon Lewis sails blithely on, despite the brickbats. A interesting choice to blame the weather on Australia’s greater athleticism. It might hold for the general population, but not really for professional athletes. Australia XI: Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney (wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Tahlia McGrath (capt), Grace Harris, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown.
England XI: Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight (capt), Amy Jones (wk), Freya Kemp, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Filer. Everything is running for Australia. “It’s a lovely wicket out there,” McGrath says “We’ve committed to a game style.” She’s playing at home, with lots of family in the crowd and is “so excited.” One change for Australia - Darcie Brown replaces Kim Garth.
Heather Knight continues to put on a brave face. “We chased really well the other night so not too disappointed to chase tonight. I loved the way we fought with the bat.” Three changes for England – Linsey Smith, Alice Capsey and Lauren Filer replace Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier and Sarah Glenn.
