AUS-W vs ENG-W:The 2025 Women’s Ashes has been a showcase of Australia’s dominance, as they retain the trophy with an unassailable 8-0 lead. Despite missing key players like Alyssa Healy and Ashleigh Gardner, Australia’s depth has shone across formats, including a clean sweep in the ODIs. Meanwhile, England’s inconsistent performances, especially with the bat, have left them struggling. As the series moves to Canberra for the second T20I, England seeks redemption, while Australia aims to extend their winning streak.

Match Details:

• Match: 2nd T20I, Women’s Ashes 2025
• Date & Time: Thursday, 23rd January 2025, 13:45 (local time)
• Venue: Manuka Oval, Canberra

Head-to-Head Record:

Pitch Conditions

Manuka Oval in Canberra offers a balanced pitch conducive to competitive T20 cricket. Batters can expect consistent bounce, facilitating stroke play, while fast bowlers may find early assistance with pace and bounce. Historically, the average first innings total in recent women’s T20Is at this venue is around 166 runs, indicating a favorable environment for batting.

Boundary Dimensions

The playing area at Manuka Oval measures approximately 179 meters in length and 150 meters in width. This translates to boundary lengths ranging from 70 to 75 meters, providing a fair challenge for both batters aiming to clear the ropes and fielders patrolling the outfield.

Weather

On Thursday, January 23, 2025, Canberra is expected to experience cooler conditions with low clouds. The high temperature will be around 25°C (78°F), with a low of 12°C (54°F). These conditions are favorable for a full T20 match, with minimal weather-related interruptions anticipated.

Toss Impact

Historically, teams winning the toss at Manuka Oval have equal success whether choosing to bat or bowl first, with 8 wins each in 16 women’s T20I matches. Given the average first innings score of 151, captains might opt to bat first to set a challenging target, but decisions often depend on team strengths and match-day conditions.

AUS-W vs ENG-W Probable Playing XIs

Australia Women: Beth Mooney (wk), Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Tahlia McGrath (c), Grace Harris, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt.

England Women: Maia Bouchier, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sophia Dunkley, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight (c), Amy Jones (wk), Freya Kemp, Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell.

Probable Best Players

England

Best Batter: Danni Wyatt-Hodge
Reason: Danni Wyatt-Hodge has been in exceptional form, amassing 293 runs in her last 8 matches at an average of 48.83 and a strike rate of 140.19. Her aggressive batting style and consistency make her a key player for England.

Best Bowler: Sophie Ecclestone
Reason: Sophie Ecclestone has been a standout bowler, taking 12 wickets in her last 8 matches with an economy rate of 7.16 and a strike rate of 15.5. Her ability to control the game in the middle overs and pick crucial wickets makes her a vital asset.

Australia

Best Batter: Beth Mooney
Reason: Beth Mooney has been consistently brilliant, scoring 332 runs in her last 10 matches at an average of 41.50 and a strike rate of 118.20. Her ability to anchor the innings while also playing aggressive strokes under pressure makes her a match-winner for Australia.

Best Bowler: Annabel Sutherland
Reason: Annabel Sutherland has been a standout performer with the ball, taking 15 wickets in her last 10 matches with an economy rate of 5.51 and a strike rate of 13.93. Her precision and knack for breaking partnerships make her one of Australia’s top bowlers.

Session Predictions & Tips for Women’s T20I at Manuka Oval

First Innings Powerplay (Overs 1-6):
Batting First Team: Aim for 35-45 runs with the loss of 1-2 wickets. Manuka Oval generally provides a good batting track, where batters can get value for their shots, but the new ball may offer some movement for the seamers.

First 10 Overs:
Batting First Team: With a strong top-order performance, expect to score 70-80 runs or more. The conditions are typically conducive to stroke-making, and an average score of around 151 in the first innings suggests good runs for the batters early on.

Death Overs (Overs 16-20):
Batting First Team: Aim for 30-40 runs during the death overs. Manuka Oval’s relatively shorter boundaries, especially square, make it easier for batters to clear the ropes. The team will likely rely on the lower order to provide a strong finish with power-hitting.

Match Prediction

• Scenario 1: Australia Women Bat First
  • Projected Score: 180-190 runs
  • Result Prediction: Australia Women to win by 25-35 runs
• Scenario 2: England Women Bat First
  • Projected Score: 150-160 runs
  • Result Prediction: Australia Women to win by 6 wickets