Women’s Ashes: England can compete with ‘ruthless’ Australia in multi-format series, says Danni Wyatt-Hodge

Danni Wyatt-Hodge says England can compete with a “ruthless” Australia as they look to win back the Women’s Ashes for the first time in over a decade.

England have lost three and drawn two of the last five multi-format series, with their previous victory coming in Australia in early 2014 when they triumphed 10-8 on points.

However, Wyatt-Hodge and her team-mates held the Southern Stars to an 8-8 draw in England in 2023, winning the one-day international and T20 legs after suffering defeat in the one-off Test.

The Test concludes this year’s Women’s Ashes, with the three ODIs first – starting at 11.30pm UK time on Saturday – and three T20 internationals to follow ahead of the red-ball game at the MCG from January 30.

‘Series will come down to who is calmest’

Batter Wyatt-Hodge said of the challenge ahead: “Australia bat so deep, anyone who comes in is capable of getting valuable runs and they are ruthless.

“Anyone in their line-up is capable of match-winning performances. They will fight until the end and they are a hard team to beat.

“But as you can see from The Ashes, we’re able to compete and we’re excited to compete against them.

“A lot of us have played against them in the franchise teams and it will come down to who’s the calmest.

“We’re taking confidence from the [2023] Ashes but it’s a new Ashes in their conditions. We know how good the Aussies are. They’re a quality team with world-class players.”

‘There will be nerves around during The Ashes’

England headed to Australia off the back of a successful tour of South Africa before Christmas, sweeping the T20 series 3-0, winning the ODI portion 2-1 and then skittling the Proteas for 64 to win the Test match by 286 runs inside three days.

That trip followed a disappointing group-stage exit at the T20 World Cup in the UAE in October, with England faltering in the field, and “drifting off” according to head coach Jon Lewis, as West Indies raced to a target of 142 while opposition captain Heather Knight was off the park injured.

Wyatt-Hodge added: “We’ve played so much cricket over the last few months which has been exciting and we’re feeling relaxed and confident ahead of a massive challenge out here.

“We always speak about wanting to be calm and relaxed, but everyone’s different. Someone might need to be the opposite, so it’s going to be a matter of what works for you.

“There’s a lot of hype around The Ashes and the first game there’ll be a few nerves around, but I think it’s just going to be a matter of who stays the calmest for sure.”

The seven matches will take place in the space of just 22 days, with Lewis describing the schedule as “rammed” but Wyatt-Hodge said: “We can’t moan about it. We have to embrace it and make sure we are prioritising our rest.

“It is going to be important to switch off when he can. I like to explore the city I’m in and get out and about, but other people might be the opposite.”

Women’s Ashes 2025 schedule

All dates and times UK and Ireland

• First ODI: 11.30pm, Saturday January 11 – North Sydney Oval
• Second ODI: 11.05pm, Monday January 13 – Junction Oval, Melbourne
• Third ODI: 11.05pm, Thursday January 16 – Ninja Stadium, Hobart
• First T20I: 8.40am, Monday January 20 – Sydney Cricket Ground
• Second T20I: 8.40am, Thursday January 23 – Manuka Oval, Canberra
• Third T20I: 8.10am, Saturday January 25 – Adelaide Oval
• Test: 3.30am, Thursday Jan 30-Sunday Feb 2 – MCG, Melbourne