Fatigue and rotation and the Covid-19 factor – Women’s Ashes talking points

The tourists will start as underdogs against an Australia side who currently hold the Ashes.

Published Jan 14, 2022

England Women head to Australia to try and secure a first Ashes victory down under since 2013-14.

The multi-format series starts with three Twenty20s and gets underway at Adelaide on January 20.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the areas of debate leading into the opening match.

What are England’s chances?

Australia Women have not lost a series since 2013-14 and currently hold the Ashes trophy (David Davies/PA)

Fatigue and rotation

England could choose to rotate and rest players during the Ashes ahead of the World Cup in March (Nigel French/PA)

England’s spin vs Australia’s seam

Sophie Ecclestone tops the Twenty20 international world rankings (Simon Galloway/PA)

Australian batting

Ellyse Perry has a Test average of 86.62 and has a high score of 213 not out against England (Simon Galloway/PA)

Rescheduling factor

Just two days before the England squad departed from the United Kingdom, the series was brought forward by a week, reducing England’s opportunities for warm-up matches. As seen with the men’s team preparation can be the key to success in Australia. The T20Is were brought forward, with the Test match, which had been the series opener, taking place at the original time at the end of January. The changes were to give both teams time to travel to New Zealand and quarantine ahead of the World Cup, but it remains to be seen how much England’s chances will be dented by the shortened preparation time.

Covid-19 impact

England will have to manage covid and lockdown fatigue ahead of a busy winter — England will have to manage Covid-19 and lockdown fatigue ahead of a busy winter (Steven Paston/PA)