Women’s Ashes 2019: England Women vs Australia Women, 1st ODI: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

England Women and Australia Women will lock horns in the Women’s Ashes that begins with a 3-match ODI series on Tuesday in Leicester. England Women are coming on the back of some thumping wins against Windies at home. Australia Women, on the other hand, played only one series this year; a 3-match home ODI series against New Zealand. This game will witness one of these two teams’ winning streak coming to an end. England won all the seven ODIs they played since losing the series in India.

In fact, they won all 15 International matches since the series defeat against India. The Southern Stars are having an even better record as they won all nine ODIs since the start of 2018. Their last ODI defeat came against England in the 2017 Women’s Ashes. Since the beginning of 2018, the Aussie Women won as many 24 out of the 26 International fixtures. The two defeats came in the T20Is – one against England during the T20I Tri-Series in India and one more against India during the group phase of WT20 last year.

Match Details:

The 1st match of the 3-match ODI series in the 2019 Women’s Ashes between England Women and Australia Women will be hosted by the Grace Road in Leicester.

The match starts at 2:00 PM local time (1:00 PM GMT) (6:30 PM IST). The game will be live on Sony Six in India. Live streaming available on Sony Liv.

Last five completed T20I matches:

England Women: W, W, W, W, W.

Australia Women: W, W, W, W, W.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The track at Grace Road usually tends to get slow as the game progresses. In ten Women’s ODIs hosted by this venue, four of them have been won by teams chasing – all being targets of 220 and lower. However, in remaining six matches, the batting first posted 270+ on five instances and won every time. Last month’s game between England Women and Windies Women saw the hosts posting 300+ and winning by a 200+ runs margin.

Average 1st innings score: 240 (Women’s ODI since 2016)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 4, Lost – 6

Probable Playing XIs:

England Women:

Amy Jones, Tammy Beaumont, Sarah Taylor (WK), Heather Knight (C), Natalie Sciver, Danielle Wyatt,  Anya Shrubsole, Katherine Brunt, Fran Wilson/Laura Marsh, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone.

Bench – Jenny Gunn, Lauren Winfield.

Australia Women:

Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy (WK), Meg Lanning (C), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Elyse Villani, Ashleigh Gardner, Jess Jonassen, Georgia Wareham, Delissa Kimmince, Megan Schutt.

Bench – Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Tayla Vlaeminck.

Team News:

(Will be added when there is an update)

Power Picks:

Megan Schutt has some brilliant numbers with the ball against the England Women. In the ODI format, Schutt has bagged 18 wickets in ten matches against England with the help of three 4-wicket hauls. The pitch at Leicester usually stays on the drier side which suits her bowling. By mixing up cutters and slower deliveries in those conditions, Schutt will be unplayable for the home team batters who could end up conceding their wickets, especially in the second half.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

The inform keeper-batsman Amy Jones and ever trusted megastar Meg Lanning are expected to be among the top performers in this game. The world class all-round trio of Ellyse Perry, Natalie Sciver and Katharine Brunt could sneak with contributions in batting and bowling.

Other Captain/Vice-Captain Options (in order) – Megan Schutt, Tammy Beaumont, Alyssa Healy, Heather Knight, Ashleigh Gardner, Any Shrubsole.

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Amy Jones (VC), Alyssa Healy

Batters – Meg Lanning (C), Tammy Beaumont, Rachael Haynes

All-Rounders – Katherine Brunt, Ellyse Perry, Natalie Sciver

Bowlers – Anya Shrubsole, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Ecclestone

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Sarah Taylor

Batters – Heather Knight, Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning

All-Rounders – Katherine Brunt, Ellyse Perry (C), Natalie Sciver (VC)

Bowlers – Anya Shrubsole, Sophie Ecclestone, George Wareham, Megan Schutt

Expert Advice:

Heather Knight was sidelined from the 3rd T20I against the Windies Women a week ago due to an injury she suffered a game before. Considering this fact and her credits, we opted to exclude her from one of the Suggested Fantasy XIs. However, Knight can be picked at the cost any of the expensive all-rounders which however is a risky move.

Probable Winners:

The chasing side could have an edge in this game but Australia Women have enough team balance to edge past England Women in any given condition.

*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.