Cricket history is set to unfold as Australia and England face off in a day-night Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), marking a significant moment for women’s cricket. This will be the first women’s Test at the venue since 1949 and the first-ever pink-ball Test for either men or women at the historic ground.
While Australia has already secured the Women’s Ashes series, the one-off Test match carries immense significance. Players from both teams are eager to etch their names in history, with the MCG lights set to shine over what promises to be an enthralling encounter.
A Battle for Pride and Legacy
Despite Australia’s dominant performance in the limited-overs leg of the Ashes, the Test match remains a coveted prize. A victory would cement Australia’s supremacy, while England aims to salvage pride and prove their mettle in the longest format of the game.
Australian captain Alyssa Healy, returning from injury, is expected to play as a specialist batter, leaving wicketkeeping duties to Beth Mooney. Healy’s presence is a massive boost for the hosts, given her ability to take control of an innings. Alongside her, Ellyse Perry—who famously scored a double century in the last pink-ball Ashes Test—will be a key player.
For England, captain Heather Knight leads a team eager to break Australia’s dominance. Tammy Beaumont, one of the most experienced batters in the squad, will be instrumental in setting the tone at the top of the order, while all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt is expected to play a crucial role with both bat and ball.
Match Details: Timing and Broadcast
The highly anticipated match begins at 2:30 PM AEDT, with thousands expected to fill the stands at the MCG. Cricket fans can follow the action live via multiple platforms:
- ABC Sport: Live blog updates and radio commentary on the ABC Listen app
- Channel 7: Live TV coverage and streaming on the 7plus app
- Foxtel & Kayo: Comprehensive live streaming options
Here’s when the first ball will be bowled across Australia:
- NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, ACT: 2:30 PM AEDT
- Queensland: 1:30 PM AEST
- South Australia: 2:00 PM ACDT
- Northern Territory: 1:00 PM ACST
- Western Australia: 11:30 AM AWST
Teams Announced: Experience Meets Young Talent
Australia fields a strong squad, blending experience and young talent. The return of Healy, along with Perry’s all-round brilliance, makes them formidable. The bowling attack, spearheaded by Megan Schutt and Darcie Brown, will look to exploit the pink ball’s movement under lights.
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Australia’s Squad:
Alyssa Healy (c), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath (vc), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
England, meanwhile, has brought in reinforcements, with fast bowler Kate Cross and opener Tammy Beaumont returning for the Test. Their bowling attack, led by Sophie Ecclestone, will be crucial in countering Australia’s batting depth.
England’s Squad:
Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge
A Historic Venue for a Historic Occasion
The match commemorates the 90th anniversary of women’s Test cricket and is the first women’s Test at the MCG in 75 years. The last time women played a Test at the venue was in 1949, when Australian legends like Betty Wilson, Molly Dive, and Una Paisley took the field.
The pink-ball format adds another layer of excitement. The last time Australia and England played a pink-ball Test was in 2017 at North Sydney Oval, where Ellyse Perry’s unbeaten 213 dominated the match, though it ended in a draw.
Can England Upset the Hosts?
England will be desperate to shake off their struggles in Australian conditions and deliver a performance worthy of the grand stage. While Australia holds the upper hand, England’s bowlers will look to exploit the pink ball’s swing under lights, a factor that has troubled batters in past pink-ball Tests.
With both teams motivated and a historic venue as the backdrop, this match promises to be more than just a Test—it’s a defining moment for women’s cricket.
