Women's Ashes 2023: Beth Mooney confirms Test opening role after century against England A

Australia women's batter Beth Mooney will open for her side for the 2023 Women's Ashes Test after scoring a magnificent century in a warm-up match against England A. The 29-year-old scored 107 off 133 balls at Leicester on Thursday, June 15, as Australia were bundled out for 284 and had their English opponents 135/2 at stumps on Day 1.

Australia are scheduled to tour England in June and July 2023 to contest the Women's Ashes. The tour will consist of a single Women's Test match, three Women's T20Is, and three Women's ODIs, from June 22 to July 18.

With Meg Lanning ruled out of the tour owing to illness and Rachael Haynes having retired since their last red-ball encounter, Australia offered their best indication yet of their one-off Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, which begins on June 22. Aussies skipper Alyssa Healy dropped down to No. 5 after saying she did not want to handle the burden of both wicketkeeping and opening.

However, since Healy and Haynes opened in Australia's previous Test, this encouraged Phoebe Litchfield and Mooney to open in the one-off Test. Litchfield fell for 19 but still looks likely to earn a Test debut at the top of the order next week.

Mooney, on the other hand, had no issues ahead of the one-off Test against England. Before Haynes' retirement, she had previously opened in the longest format of the game but has generally batted at No. 3 or in the middle order.

Mooney hopes to do well in one-off Test against England Women

Mooney stated that she hopes to do well in the one-off Test starting next week. The first few days in England it is nice to hit a few off the middle, according to the 29-year-old. She further stated that Kim Garthe has made a significant contribution to this squad off the field, and it is great to see her receive some playing time. 

"I seem to do that in warm-up games and not transfer that to the real thing. Hopefully next week I can. The first few days in England it's nice to hit a few off the middle. Kimmy G is a ripper, she has contributed hugely to this group off the field and it's nice to see her getting some games on the field. She presents a real threat to the England top order, so it's nice to see her get a couple in this game," Mooney said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.