2023 Women’s Ashes - England vs Australia – 2nd One-Day International Preview & Prediction
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THE FACTS
When is England vs Australia taking place? Sunday, July 16th, 2023 – 11:00 (UK)
Where is England vs Australia taking place? England vs Australia will take place at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton
What channel is England vs Australia on? England vs Australia will be televised live on Sky Sports in the UK
Where can I stream England vs Australia? Sky Sports subscribers in the UK can stream England vs Australia live on Sky Go.
LAST MEETING
England beat Australia by two wickets
THE LOWDOWN
ENGLAND
The comeback is well and truly on and England are now just two wins away from achieving something truly special. Their latest feat was overcoming Australia in the first ODI, ending their unbeaten streak in the format and levelling the Women’s Ashes at six points apiece. Victory here would put them ahead in the series for the first time ahead of the final match at Taunton and with the hosts having now won their last three games against the Australians, all the momentum is in their favour. Confidence is oozing from their squad and the fans now firmly believe that something special is on the horizon.
England needed a hero in the first ODI. After putting themselves in an excellent position, restricting Australia to 263/8 before reaching 103/2 after just 12.3 over in the reply, Heather Knight’s side collapsed to 235/8 with the captain herself the only player resisting the Australia assault. However, bowler Kate Cross gave her skipper the support needed and much more, playing a crucial cameo of 19 not out, including four precious boundaries. Her and Knight proceeded to carry England home, Knight finishing on 75 not out, a proper captain’s knock.
AUSTRALIA
Australia are in trouble, make no mistake about it. They are underperforming in all departments. Key players are not affecting their skills to a high enough level and they’ve lost that aura which makes them such a formidable side. Captain Alyssa Healy is coming under the spotlight having led the side to three consecutive defeats. She’s not performing with the bat, struggled with the gloves in Bristol and her bowling decisions have been questionable. You can’t help but think playing with two broken fingers is starting to take its toll. She’s not been the only disappointment though. Ellyse Perry’s bowling has been unusually wayward with the pace bowlers in general really struggling to get to grips with English conditions. A total of 17 wides and 3 no balls cost them dearly in the first ODI.
Aside from Beth Mooney, who has been comfortably Australia’s best batter across the white ball series, the tourists desperately need a player to make a big score in this next ODI. No more fancy thirties and twenties. A top order batter such as Healy, Phoebe Litchfield or Tahlia McGrath needs to score big. Until that happens, Australia are likely to fall short with the bat as their bowlers are unable to stop the flow of runs on England’s side as it stands.
THE PREDICTION
England have all the momentum in their favour and the belief to boot. Their batters have had the better of the Australia bowlers and they are consistently taking wickets at just the right time. On another big pitch at the Ageas Bowl, it should suit England and the way they play, hustling in the field, forcing mistakes from Australia. They’ll look to go hard in the powerplay once again and when you take into account how poor their opponents have been from a bowling perspective in particular, backing England to take the lead for the first time in the Women’s Ashes has to be favoured.
TIP: ENGLAND TO WIN
