Danni Wyatt-Hodge Optimistic Ahead of Women's Ashes Challenge

Danni Wyatt-Hodge, England batter, says Australia’s Women’s Ashes campaign will not be affected by their failure to defend their T20 World Cup title. Despite their semi-final exit to South Africa last October, Healy’s side which held both white-ball World Cups, the Women’s Ashes and the Commonwealth Games titles still boasts a talented squad. The multi-format Ashes series starts on January 11 with the first of three one-day internationals followed by three T20s and a four-day Test.

England last won the series in 2014 but Australia has reclaimed and retained the Ashes in subsequent years, including an 8-8 draw in 2023 even though England won both white-ball series. However, Wyatt-Hodge remains confident that Australia’s strength is intact. She praised their squad, stating that anyone in the lineup can produce match-winning performances and emphasized that the Ashes series would be a massive challenge for England, one they eagerly anticipate.

Fast bowler Kate Cross agreed, noting that Australia’s World Cup exit might even rejuvenate them. Australia enters the Ashes on the back of recent victories in one-day series against India and T20 World Cup champions New Zealand. Captain Alyssa Healy has recovered from injury and will join the squad for the white-ball series but Sophie Molineux will miss out after knee surgery. England, on the other hand, suffered disappointment in the T20 World Cup, failing to progress past the group stages after a humiliating loss to the West Indies.

Head coach Jon Lewis criticized the team’s performance, noting lapses in communication and attitude. Danni Wyatt-Hodge highlighted that the key to success in the Ashes will be maintaining calm under pressure. She believes that the team’s approach will be to stay composed and enjoy the challenge ahead, regardless of the hype surrounding the series.