England head into the first and only Test of their Ashes series on Tuesday knowing that Australia, now 4-2 up in the multi-format series after taking the One Day Internationals 2-1, have found the X-factor so sorely lacking at present in their men. Captain Meg Lanning is living up to her status as number one batter in the world having struck a sublime century in the second ODI to take her series tally to 195.
England will have to come from behind if they are to retain the Women’s Ashes after Australia won the last of the three-match Royal London one-day internationals in Worcester by 89 runs.
Katherine Brunt, England’s passionate opening bowler, never set out play to play cricket.
Not seriously at least. ‘I never saw cricket as a long-term career,’ says Brunt.
Natalie Sciver was just another fan when, along with two and a half million others, she tuned in to watch England beat Germany for the first time in 31 years at the Women’s football World Cup last month.
England’s vice-captain, Heather Knight, last night rued the missed opportunities that propelled England towards a 63-run defeat to Australia in the second oneday international of the women’s Ashes which leaves the series level at 1-1.
England’s women cricketers showed Alastair Cook and Co how to do it with a convincing Ashes win over Australia.
Natalie Sciver and Lydia Greenway combined in devastating fashion to give England Women a winning start to their Ashes campaign here as they led their side to an ultimately comfortable victory over Australia.
English cricket is seeking solace after the debacle at Lord’s but while the men were left bruised and battered by Mitchell Johnson, for the women, who begin their Ashes series on Tuesday, the name that strikes fear into the hearts is Meg Lanning.
After success at the rugby and football World Cups, women’s sport is riding high in England, now it is the turn of the cricketers who will fly the flag against Australia.
Walking into the kitchen of the Shrubsole family home on the outskirts of Bath you’re met with all the day-to-day trappings one expects of urban life. A closer look however and it dawns, this is no ordinary household. Tucked away behind the fruit bowl and perched next to the toaster a tall, gleaming, jewel-studded trophy sticks out. The engraving on the base gives the game away: 2014 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Player of the Tournament – Anya Shrubsole.
Isabelle Westbury 