The last make-up of Australia‘s team for the first Ashes Test remains a mystery but captain Alyssa Healy lauded rookie opener Phoebe Litchfield, declaring she looks like “a brilliant international cricketer” ahead of her debut.
Kim Garth, who played 85 white-ball matches for Ireland before moving to Australia in 2019, has already made her T20 and ODI debuts for her adopted country and could be picked ahead of veteran swing bowler Megan Schutt.
Healy, standing in for Meg Lanning who withdrew from the tour, conceded to a bit of nerves and some “unknowns” about both teams, with Australia shaking up its batting and bowling and the home team naming two first-gamers.
The skipper, also Australia’s wicketkeeper, is shifting down the batting order having been a long-time opener and, with the potential for each Garth and Litchfield to play, and even probably two leg-spinners, the Ashes holders may look distinctly totally different from their most up-to-date conflict final December.
“I think for the first time there‘s probably a sense of unknown about both sides,” Healy stated on the eve of the sport.
“It’s sort of like a next gen are banging on the door and giving us a glimpse into what the Ashes series could look like for the next 10 years moving forward, which is really exciting.
“If you look at the make-up of our squad, we’ve got two leg-spinners, so looking at the balance of our side and potentially the conditions out there is probably going to dictate where we lean on that.
“But other than that, I think we’re pretty much settled, it’s just a couple of calls here and there and what it looks like from a line-up perspective as well.
“This is probably one of the most hyped Women’s Ashes series that I’ve been a part of over here and especially off the back of yesterday (Australia men’s Test victory at Edgbaston) it’s a really exciting time to be out here to play cricket.”
Healy was stuffed with reward for Litchfield, 20, who will change her on the high of the order in her first Test.
“She looked the goods that’s for sure in the three-day match against England A,” Healy stated.
“She’s a great option for us at the top. There’s been a lot spoken about the opportunities up there and she looks like a brilliant international cricketer for Australia and I can’t wait to see what she can do.”
Healy stated her crew was getting ready for the “mental battle” of Test cricket, which they not often play, conceding it will take some adapting to.
“Five days here could be really interesting,” she stated.
“It’s probably just a mental battle and there could be a bit of trench warfare at times, but I think we’re willing to see how that goes.”
The Test is the primary of seven matches, with three ODIs and three T20s to determine the Ashes.
Source: www.news.com.au
