AUS-W vs ENG-W, 2025: Australia's best XI for Ashes ODI against England

The long awaited Women’s Ashes Series 2025 is scheduled to begin on January 11, 2025, as England travel to Australia to recover the prestigious trophy. This multi-format series promises to deliver some exciting cricket, with both teams eager to prove themselves after a closely contested previous edition.

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A historic rivalry was reignited

The Women’s Ashes is not just a contest; It’s a historic rivalry that has captivated fans for decades. The 2025 series marks a significant moment as it will feature the first women’s Test match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) since 1949, celebrating the 90th anniversary of women’s Test cricket. Australia currently hold the Ashes, having maintained their dominance since 2014, but England are determined to break this streak and capture the title for the first time in over a decade.

Understanding the Women’s Ashes format

The Women’s Ashes format differs from its men’s counterpart, incorporating a multi-format approach that includes:

Three One Day Internationals (ODIs): Each victory in this format earns the team two points..
Three Twenty20 internationals (T20I): Like in ODIs, wins in T20 matches also award two points.
A four-day test match: This match is worth four points. In case of a tie, both teams receive two points.

This structure encourages teams to excel in various formats, making each match crucial in the quest for overall supremacy. The team with the highest score at the end of the series will be declared the winner.

Teams with points to prove

Both Australia and England come into this series with something to prove. Australia, despite their historic success, were disappointed after their performance in the last Ashes series in England, where they narrowly escaped defeat. They are determined to assert their dominance once again. On the other hand, England aim to build on their recent successes in white-ball formats and end their long wait for an Ashes victory.

ALSO READ: Women’s Ashes 2025: Can England end their 10-year drought against Australia?

Australia’s Best XI for Ashes ODIs against England

The upcoming Women’s Ashes series presents an excellent opportunity for the Australian women’s cricket team to showcase its talent and depth. Below is a detailed analysis of the team’s best XI for the series against England.

Alyssa Healy (c)

Role: Wicketkeeper-Basser
Strengths: Healy is known for her explosive batting at the top of the order and her exceptional wicket-keeping skills. Her aggressive style can set the tone for the innings, making her a key player in ODIs.
Expectations: As captain, she is expected to lead from the front, both in terms of runs scored and strategic decisions on the field.

Beth Mooney

Role: Batter
Strengths: Mooney is a versatile opener with solid technique and the ability to anchor innings while also accelerating when necessary. His experience in high-pressure situations adds significant value.
Expectations: Mooney is expected to provide stability at the top and convert starts into big goals, especially in crucial games against England.

Phoebe Litchfield

Role: Batter
Strengths: Litchfield has shown promise with her aggressive batting style and ability to play spin well. Her youthful exuberance and adaptability make her a dynamic player.
Expectations: As a young talent, he is expected to take advantage of opportunities and contribute significantly in the middle order.

Tahlia McGrath (VC)

Role: all terrain
Strengths: McGrath brings balance to the team with his all-round abilities, excelling in both batting and bowling. He has a powerful batting style and can bowl crucial overs.
Expectations: As vice-captain, she will be expected to support Healy in leadership while delivering impactful performances with both bat and ball.

Ellyse Perry

Role: all terrain
Strengths: Perry is one of the leading players in women’s cricket, known for her exceptional skills as a batsman and bowler. His experience and versatility are invaluable assets.
Expectations: Perry is expected to perform consistently with both bat and ball, especially in critical phases of matches.

Ashleigh Gardner

Role: all terrain
Strengths: Gardner is known for her hard-hitting batting and effective off-spin bowling. He has a knack for taking wickets at crucial moments and at the same time can speed up the scoring.
Expectations: With his ability to change games quickly, Gardner is expected to win games in difficult situations.

Annabel Sutherland

Role: all terrain
Strengths: Sutherland has emerged as a promising all-rounder with her ability to play medium pace and contribute valuable runs down the order. His athleticism also improves fielding strength.
Expectations: He is expected to provide depth in both batting and bowling, particularly in the later stages of the innings.

Megan Schutt

Role: Bowler
Strengths: Schutt is one of Australia’s leading bowlers, known for her bowling swing and ability to take wickets in the powerplay. His experience adds depth to the bowling attack.
Expectations: Schutt is expected to lead the bowling attack effectively, aiming for early breakthroughs against England’s top order.

Darcie Brown

Role: Bowler
Strengths: Brown has made an impact with his pace bowling and rebounding ability. His youth brings energy to the team.
Expectations: He is expected to complement Schutt by providing him with pace options and taking wickets during crucial phases of the game.

alana rey

Role: Bowler
Strengths: King has become a skilled player capable of changing matches with her wicket-taking abilities. It can be particularly effective when turning tracks.
Expectations: King is expected to play a key role in the middle overs, aiming to stifle runs while taking vital wickets.

Georgia Wareham

Role: Bowler
Strengths: Wareham’s leg-spin adds variety to Australia’s bowling attack, along with his ability to take wickets at critical moments. His skills on the field are also commendable.
Expectations: Wareham is expected to contribute significantly during the middle overs by applying pressure on the batsmen while looking for breakthroughs.