England Women vs Australia Women 2nd ODI: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Australia Women now have their tails up following a hard-earned victory at Grace Road in the Women’s Ashes 2019 opener. Having secured two points, they will be brimming with confidence when they take field for the second ODI, at the same ground.

England Women have a thing or two to sort out. Their top order was undone by Ellyse Perry’s inswingers – albeit in conducive conditions – in the first ODI, something they have to do something about. This also makes the toss extremely crucial. They may want to take a leaf out of Nat Sciver’s book.

Australia, too, were undone by seamers, though the lack of partnerships almost cost them first ODI. They threw away the early advantage provided by Alyssa Healy by getting into a shell – something one does not associate with Australians – allowing the English bowlers to get on top.

Head to head

Australia Women have won 50 ODIs to England’s 22 (12-8 in this decade). On English soil that comes down to 18-16, still in favour of this tourists.

Key players

Sarah Taylor (England Women): Taylor batted depression to return to top-level cricket, and charmed everyone with her 70 against West Indies Women at Chelmsford. Given that her wicketkeeping is as good as it has ever been, it is time she rises to the Ashes challenge with bat.

Meg Lanning (Australia Women): There is little doubt over the fact that Lanning is the greatest batter in the history of Women’s ODIs. An average of 51, a strike rate of 95, a hundred every 6 innings – it is only a matter of time before the deluge resumes.

Likely XIs

England Women: Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones, Sarah Taylor (wk), Heather Knight (c), Nat Sciver, Fran Wilson, Katherine Brunt, Anya Shrubsole, Laura Marsh, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross.

Australia Women: Nicole Bolton, Alyssa Healy (wk), Meg Lanning (c), Ellyse Perry, Rachel Haynes, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Georgia Wareham.

Prediction

England Women to pull one back.