The stage is set for another thrilling chapter in cricketing history as Alyssa Healy’s Australian team gears up for the much-anticipated Women’s Ashes 2025, hosting their longtime rivals England. This multi-format series, renowned for its high-octane action and fierce competition, will see England aiming to end their decade-long drought for Ashes victories on Australian soil.
The highly awaited Ashes commences with three One Day Internationals (ODIs), starting on January 12 at North Sydney Oval, followed by subsequent matches at Junction Oval, Melbourne, and Bellerive Oval, Hobart. These ODIs will set the tone for three T20 Internationals, culminating with a historic one-off day-night Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from January 30 to February 2.
This Test marks the first time Australia’s women will play at the iconic MCG since 1949, making it all the more special. Speaking about the significance of the series, Healy emphasized, “The way our Ashes series is set up, there’s white ball games beforehand, and it could come down to the Test match to try and retain the trophy, or for England to take the Ashes trophy off us. That adds a little extra excitement to it, a little extra spice.” The Australian captain also reflected on the atmosphere from the previous Ashes series held in England, noting, “Last time we were in England playing the Ashes series, the crowds were quite hostile.”
Last summer, the 2023 Women’s Ashes was filled with drama, finishing in a tie at 8-8. Australia kicked off the series with a solid 89-run win during the Test, powered by impressive performances, including Ashleigh Gardner’s eight-wicket haul. After winning the first T20, Australia seemed poised to maintain dominance, but England staged a remarkable comeback to level the series at six points apiece. Despite Australia's efforts to retain the trophy, England's gripping victory ensured the series ended on even footing, highlighting the intense rivalry between the teams.
Healy's excitement to play the 2025 series on home soil is palpable as she anticipates the support from Australian fans. “So for us, it’s a cool opportunity for Aussie sporting fans to come out and support our teams and assure them they’ve got our back as well,” she added, emphasizing the expected excitement of the Melbourne crowd.
Key to Australia's prospects is young talent Georgia Voll, who stepped up impressively during Healy’s injury absence. Voll excelled with bat scores of 46, 101, and 26 during the recent ODI series versus India, showcasing her capabilities as part of the national setup. Healy praised her contributions, stating, “She brings some real stability and consistency; it feels like the WBBL is such an amazing breeding ground for our young players.” She believes Voll's inclusion is not just beneficial for the team but also reflects her long-term potential, explaining, “She’s obviously been on the radar for a long period of time, and we knew one day she would play for Australia.”
Despite her focus on the future, Healy's preparation for the Ashes has been challenging due to injury setbacks, including missing parts of the WBBL and ODIs against India due to her knee injury. After rejoining the squad for the New Zealand ODIs, Healy expressed feelings of helplessness during her recovery, marking this period as “a bit of a weird couple of months.” She mentioned her experience watching the up-and-coming players, feeling as though there was “a changing of the guard.”
“The WBBL just felt like it was more about the young players and what they were doing. It was almost like the next generation were taking over,” she remarked, alluding to players like Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland, who have made significant strides within the league. With the depth of talent in Australian cricket on display during the last season, Healy feels optimistic about the team's prospects: “We just need to keep trying to give opportunities to these young players.”
Looking forward to the Ashes, the Australian skipper is set to play one final preparation match against the Governor-General XI before the series kicks off. The squad will feature both seasoned players like Ellyse Perry and promising newcomers like Georgia Voll, providing a balanced lineup for what promises to be yet another exciting chapter in the storied Ashes rivalry.
The upcoming schedule for the Women’s Ashes series is as follows: Governor-General XI match on January 9, followed by the ODIs on January 12, 14, and 17. The T20 matches are on January 20, 23, and 25, wrapping up with the day-night Test match at the MCG, marking the resumption of women’s Test cricket on one of cricket’s biggest stages.
Now with the 2025 series on the horizon, cricket fans across the globe eagerly anticipate what stories will emerge from the Women’s Ashes. With Healy at the helm, the Australian team appears poised for yet another compelling confrontation with England as they vie for Ashes victory.