Women's Ashes 2024-25 - England spin heavy as Alana King pushes for T20 withdrawal

England will bolster their spin attack in the first T20I against Australia at the SCG as they look to keep the Ashes alive, but whether the home side can find room for form is a matter of intrigue. Alana King.

Heather Knight Confirmed that the legspinner Sarah Glennwho took 4 for 20 in his most recent T20 against South Africa, will also feature in the line-up Charlie Dean And Sophie Ecclestone. He even suggested that England would not be afraid to play four frontline spinners, with left-arm spinner Linsey Smith also part of the squad, if they felt the situation suited it.

“They’ve played in our T20 team for the last couple of years,” Knight said of the spin trio.

“Sarah will definitely come. She’s one of the best spinners in the world. She’s been outstanding for us, especially in those middle overs, taking wickets and then really squeezing the opposition. That’s a big part of our strategy against the opposition.”

Knight also indicated that Sophia Dunkley Will continue at number 3 and that all-rounder Freya Kemp Could be an option for the middle order.

Australia are confident they have the batting order to deal with whatever England throws at them, with Ecclestone taking on his second-most expensive ODI figures in Hobart.

“I’ll back myself against the spin, which is nice,” Phoebe Litchfield Said “Ecclestone, bowling into me, he’s still a big threat, but I think [with] For us on the left there is a point of difference in our party that is rife between us. Charlie Dean also bowled very well, and teams like the Glens could come through. [and] I love it.”

Australia will retain the Ashes with a win in Sydney, but this will be their first T20I since last year’s World Cup semi-final exit against South Africa. And, while the addition of the Georgia Vols to the squad is the only change in personnel, how they will line up remains to be answered.

King took nine wickets in the last two ODIs but has not played a T20 since the 2023 World Cup in South Africa. Georgia Wareham Preferred option in that format. The pair combined to great effect in Hobart where Wareham made 38 off 12 balls before picking up two crucial wickets and Knight expected the same in Sydney.

“I think I’d be surprised [if King wasn’t selected]” said the knight.” We’re probably expecting a few leggies. They’ve certainly had some success against us in the series, but we’ll have to see who lines up tomorrow.”

With recent World Cup star Sophie Molineux injured, the selectors dropped Jess Jonassen to open for King. King was also the joint-leading wicket-taker in this season’s WBBL with the Perth Scorchers, claiming 20 at 13.30.

“I think she’s going to have a huge impact, but, equally, you’ve seen Georgia Wareham, her impact [when] He came into another game,” said Lichfield. “These two have been bowling amazingly well in T20 cricket for a long time and Georgia Wareham was probably lucky to be selected in green, but they offer a lot individually and you love to have them both in the side, but unfortunately maybe There’s not a lot of space… so it’s a tough choice because they’re so good.”

Of other interest around Australia is how they structure their batting order after the World Twenty20 where a failed Test with Wareham at No 3 saw little delivery impact the likes of Lichfield and Annabel Sutherland.

“Our batting order is ridiculous,” Litchfield said. “I’m really excited to unshackle our team tomorrow. I really enjoy it in the middle order. I think you look at the likes of Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Ash Gardner, they’re hitting the ball really well. I probably have full faith in them.

“I remember the situation [in the World Cup] It was always a tough, slow wicket. If you give me an extra 20 balls, I probably won’t strike 160. So I think the way I came in and the position we were in made me do it. But in every game of T20 cricket, I am trying to play the same way and try to score as many runs with as small balls as possible.”

Grace HarrisScored 78-ball 140 for Queensland in WNCL, also part of Australia’s squad for T20I which offers more batting options in addition to uncapped volleys. Harris played three matches at the World Cup, starting in the middle, before stepping up when Alyssa Healy injured her leg.

Australia (Probable): 1 Alyssa Healy (Captain O’Week), 2 Beth Mooney, 3 Elise Perry, 4 Ash Gardner, 5 Phoebe Litchfield, 6 Tahlia McGrath, 7 Annabelle Sutherland, 8 Georgia Wareham, 9 Alana King, 10 Darcy Brown, 11 Megan Shoot

England (probable): 1 Maia Bouchier, 2 Danny Watt-Hodge, 3 Sophia Dunkley, 4 Nat Syver-Brant, 5 Heather Knight (capt), 6 Amy Jones (wicket), 7 Freya Kemp, 8 Charlie Dean, 9 Sophie Ecclestone, 10 Sarah Glenn, 11 Lauren Bell

Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo

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