Women’s Ashes: England can compete with ‘relentless’ Australia in multi-format series, says Danni Wyatt-Hodge | Cricket news
Danni Wyatt-Hodge says England can compete with a “relentless” Australia as they look to win back the Women’s Ashes for the first time in more than a decade.
England have lost three and drawn two of their last five multi-format series, with their previous win in Australia in early 2014 when they triumphed 10-8 on points.
However, Wyatt-Hodge and her team-mates drew the Southern Stars to an 8-8 draw in England 2023, winning the one-day international and T20 leg after losing the one-off Test.
The Test concludes this year’s Women’s Ashes, with the first three ODIs – starting at 11.30pm UK time on Saturday – and three T20 internationals to follow before the red-ball game at the MCG from January 30.
“The series will come down to who is calmer”
Batter Wyatt-Hodge said of the challenge ahead: “Australia’s batting is so deep that anyone who comes in is capable of scoring runs and they are relentless.
“Everybody in their lineup is capable of winning games. They’re going to fight until the end and they’re tough to beat.
“But as you can see from The Ashes, we can compete and we’re excited to compete against them.
“A lot of us have played against them in franchise teams and it will come down to who is the calmest.
“We take trust from [2023] Ashes but it’s the new Ashes on their terms. We know how good Australians are. They are a quality team with world-class players.”
‘There will be nerves during The Ashes’
England went to Australia on the back of a successful tour of South Africa before Christmas, sweeping the T20 series 3-0, winning the ODI leg 2-1, then thrashing the Proteas by 64 runs to win the Test match by 286 runs in three days.
That trip followed a disappointing group-stage exit at the T20 World Cup in the UAE in October, with England faltering on the field and “drifting” in the words of head coach Jon Lewis as West Indies chased down a target of 142 while the opposition captain Heather Knight came out of the park injured.
Wyatt-Hodge added: “We’ve played so much cricket over the last few months which has been exciting and we feel relaxed and confident ahead of the big challenge here.
“We always talk about wanting to be calm and relaxed, but everyone is different. Maybe someone should be the opposite, so it will be a question of what suits you.
“There’s a lot of hype around The Ashes and the first game is going to be a bit nervous, but I think it’s definitely going to be a question of who stays calmer.”
The seven matches will be played in the space of just 22 days and Lewis described the schedule as “packed”, but Wyatt-Hodge said: “We can’t regret it. We have to accept it and make sure we prioritize our rest.
“It will be important to switch off when he can. I like to explore the city I’m in and go out, but other people can be the opposite.”
Women’s Ashes 2025 schedule
All dates and times UK and Ireland
- First ODI: 11.30pm, Saturday 11th January – North Sydney Oval
- Other ODIs: 23.05, Monday 13 January – Junction Oval, Melbourne
- Third ODI: 23.05, Thursday, January 16 – Ninja Stadium, Hobart
- First T20I: 8.40am Monday 20th January – Sydney Cricket Ground
- Second T20I: 8.40am Thursday 23 January – Manuka Oval, Canberra
- Third T20I: 8.10am Saturday January 25 – Adelaide Oval
- Test: 3.30am Thursday 30 January – Sunday 2 February – MCG, Melbourne
