The 2025 Women’s Ashes kicked off with a gripping first One-Day International (ODI) between England and Australia at the North Sydney Oval on January 12. The match, played in front of a sold-out crowd, set the tone for what promises to be an intense multi-format series. England posted a modest total of 204, but Australia’s spinners, led by Ashleigh Gardner, ensured the visitors faced an uphill battle. Here’s a detailed look at the key moments and performances from the match.
England’s Batting Struggles
England won the toss and elected to bat, but their innings got off to a shaky start. Maia Bouchier survived an early scare when Megan Schutt overstepped, but she was soon dismissed for 9 after edging Kim Garth to Alyssa Healy behind the stumps. Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight steadied the ship with a 50-run partnership, but Beaumont’s dismissal for 13 triggered a collapse. Knight top-scored with 39, but her dismissal to Gardner, caught by Ellyse Perry at deep midwicket, was a turning point.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge contributed a patient 38, but England’s middle order failed to capitalize. Amy Jones looked promising with a quickfire 31, including a six and four boundaries, but her dismissal to Alana King halted England’s momentum. The lower order, led by Sophie Ecclestone (16) and Lauren Filer (8 not out), added some valuable runs, but England were bowled out for 204 in 43.1 overs.
Australia’s Spin Dominance
Australia’s spinners were the stars of the show. Ashleigh Gardner was exceptional, finishing with figures of 3 for 19, including the crucial wickets of Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt. Alana King supported her with 2 for 35, while Annabel Sutherland and Kim Garth chipped in with two wickets each. Gardner’s performance was particularly noteworthy as she claimed her 100th ODI wicket by clean-bowling Lauren Bell to end England’s innings.
Australia’s Chase
Chasing 205, Australia got off to a steady start despite losing Phoebe Litchfield early to Lauren Filer. Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney anchored the innings, with Mooney playing some elegant strokes, including a well-timed sweep for four off Charlie Dean. Healy, on the other hand, showcased her aggressive intent with a series of boundaries, including a powerful pull shot off Nat Sciver-Brunt.
At the time of writing, Australia were comfortably placed at 97 for 2 after 17 overs, needing 107 more runs to win. Mooney and Healy looked in control, and with Ellyse Perry still to come, Australia were well-positioned to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Key Takeaways
Spin Mastery: Australia’s spinners, particularly Gardner and King, outclassed England’s batters, exploiting the conditions brilliantly.
England’s Middle-Order Woes: Despite promising starts, England’s middle order failed to build partnerships, leaving them with a below-par total.
Australia’s Depth: With a strong batting lineup and a balanced bowling attack, Australia demonstrated why they are one of the most formidable teams in women’s cricket.
Looking Ahead
The first ODI has set the stage for an exciting series. England will need to regroup and address their batting frailties, while Australia will aim to maintain their dominance. With two more ODIs, three T20Is, and a four-day Test match to follow, the 2025 Women’s Ashes promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the best teams in the world.
Stay tuned for more updates as the series unfolds!
