Australia and England players are calling for future Women's Ashes series to feature three Test matches, in addition to the existing three ODIs and three T20Is. However, the likelihood of this happening soon is slim due to the packed cricket calendar.
In the upcoming series, the sole Test, a four-day day-night match at the MCG, will conclude the Ashes for the first time since the multi-format series was introduced in 2013. This Test carries four points for a win and two for a draw, potentially allowing one team to secure the series by avoiding defeat.
England needs an outright points victory to reclaim the Ashes after the 2023 series ended in an 8-8 draw, despite England winning the Trent Bridge Test that opened the series. Before the multi-format system, the Ashes were decided solely on Test matches, with the last multi-Test series played in 2005.
Australian allrounder Ashleigh Gardner, who starred with 8 for 66 in the previous Ashes Test, has voiced her support for expanding the format. "Personally, I’d love to see three Tests alongside the ODIs and T20Is," she said. "It would make the tours longer, but the rivalry and matchups in Test cricket would be incredible. Unfortunately, I don’t think this change is imminent."
England batter Tammy Beaumont echoed Gardner’s sentiments, emphasizing the narrative-building aspect of multi-Test series. "The Ashes rivalry thrives on stories and battles, like an opener facing a bowler repeatedly. Test cricket heightens these dynamics, and I’d love to see more," she said.
Despite this enthusiasm, scheduling challenges persist. Cricket Australia’s outgoing CEO, Nick Hockley, noted the difficulty of adding more matches due to an already crowded calendar. He suggested a broader effort to have more countries adopt multi-format series instead.
The Women’s Premier League's move to January complicates future scheduling, with Australia’s main international window shifting to February-March. This series marks the last time for at least four years that Australia will host Ashes cricket during the summer holiday period.
While record crowds attended the 2023 Ashes in England, Australian women’s cricket is seeking to regain momentum lost after the 2020 T20 World Cup final, which drew 86,174 fans, shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic.
"This Ashes series is critical for us," Gardner said. "The rivalry with England is second only to the World Cup for importance. We hope to see strong support as we take on our fiercest competitors."
This year’s Ashes features matches at iconic venues, including the MCG, SCG, and Adelaide Oval, aiming to attract fans and revive enthusiasm for women’s cricket.
Updated on 7th January, 2025 by MyFortune11 Team.