Australia retain Women’s Ashes after 57-run defeat of England in first T20
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Australia have retained the Women’s Ashes after winning the first T20 at the Sydney Cricket Ground by 57 runs, taking an unassailable 8-0 lead on points. It means England’s failure to win back the Ashes at the earliest opportunity came despite Australia being rocked by the injury of captain Alyssa Healy, who was ruled unfit to play just hours before the first T20, due to a recurrence of the foot injury she sustained during the World Cup.
Ash Gardner was also absent due to a calf strain, but the host’s depth was such that T20 debutant Georgia Voll and opener Grace Harris proved ready replacements. The result means Australia have retained the Ashes for the fourth consecutive series. The T20 loss deepens the misery for Heather Knight’s England team, who have so far failed to win a match. Serious questions should now be asked about the long-term future of coach Jon Lewis, for whom this is just the latest in a string of failures, following England’s early exit from the World Cup in October.
Heather Knight’s position as captain will also come under scrutiny, though the problem for England is the lack of ready replacements waiting in the wings: current vice-captain Nat Sciver-Brunt struggled when she was forced to take on the role during the 2022 Commonwealth Games, while England looked rudderless when Knight was unable to take the field during England’s World Cup match against West Indies.
