The ECB have today announced the squad which will contest the three Ashes T20s against Australia, beginning on August 26 at Chelmsford.

There are two changes from the Test squad, with Danielle Wyatt and Danielle Hazell replacing Kate Cross and Fran Wilson.

Hazell was the surprise omission from the initial ODI squad and, as current number 1-ranked bowler in the world in T20s, must surely be in contention to start for England at Chelmsford.

Wyatt is presumably back into the squad at least partly on the back of her unrivalled season with the bat at county level, having hit 287 runs at an average of 57, including a century against Somerset back in June.

Meanwhile Jenny Gunn, after sitting the Test out due to the flaring up of an old neck injury on the first morning, is evidently back to full match fitness – fresh from hitting 51* and taking 5-3 against Kent last weekend to deny them the county T20 title.

The only real surprise is the non-selection of Kent’s Tash Farrant, who has not featured in any of England’s squads this summer. Given that the ECB’s central contracts are up for renewal in October, this perhaps does not bode well for her prospects of retaining her place in the elite 18.

The series is of vital importance for England, who need to win all three games in order to draw the series on points and thus retain the Ashes. Meanwhile, even a no-result due to bad weather (worth 1 point apiece) would see Australia win an Ashes series in England for the first time since 2001.

The full T20 squad is as follows:

• Charlotte Edwards (Kent)
• Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire)
• Georgia Elwiss (Sussex)
• Lydia Greenway (Kent)
• Becky Grundy (Warwickshire)
• Jenny Gunn (Nottinghamshire)
• Danielle Hazell (Yorkshire)
• Heather Knight (Berkshire)
• Laura Marsh (Kent)
• Nat Sciver (Surrey)
• Anya Shrubsole (Somerset)
• Sarah Taylor (Sussex)
• Lauren Winfield (Yorkshire)
• Danielle Wyatt (Nottinghamshire)

Australia’s Southern Stars have plundered the Emerald Isle, winning their 3-match T20 series 3-0 in the kind of style that should make England very worried indeed as the Women’s Ashes recommence in Chelmsford on Wednesday.

Meg Lanning (43 off 38 balls in the 1st T20), Ellyse Perry (55* off 46 balls in the 3rd T20) and Elyse Villani (80 off 53 balls in the 3rd T20) all found some form with the bat.

The biggest revelation though was Grace Harris. The 21-year-old Queenslander made her debut in this series and bagged a 2-ball duck in the 1st T20. In the 2nd, coming in with 2.3 overs to go, she soon found herself on the wrong end of an on-field talking-to from vice-captain Alex Blackwell for not pushing a second run.

A response was needed… and boy did Harris respond: by hitting the first 4 balls of the final over for 4 consecutive 4s. Then in the last T20, pushed up the order to 3, she smashed 39 off just 21 balls, as Australia posted a near-record 186. Harris’ final innings left her with a series-leading Strike Rate of 193; and doubtless had England’s coaching staff scrambling around looking for plans on how to bowl to her – they are going to need them!

As for Ireland, they were well-beaten, but not totally embarrassed. Australia are the World Champions for a reason, and while the Irish maintain their official ODI status, they are really more at home in English county cricket, where they finished mid-table in this season’s Division 1 T20 Cup. Their big goal is next year’s World T20 in India, for which they seek to qualify later this year, and it will be something of a surprise if they fail to do so.

The big worry for Ireland however has to be what happens when they lose their county championship games, following the introduction of the Super League, in 2017. They have their own recently instituted Super 3s of course; but without the genuinely competitive environment which the county championship offers, they are likely to suffer going forwards.

One hope must be that some of the younger players, like promising 17-year-old leg-spinner Elena Tice, make it to Super League; but that offers its own dilemmas for Ireland – Tice was born in Basingstoke and any success she finds in Super League might just end-up with her crossing the Irish Channel on a more permanent basis.

An exciting county T20 season culminated in a 3-way tie at the top of Division 1, with Sussex claiming the title on Net Run Rate ahead of Yorkshire and Kent.

We take a look at some of the numbers behind the season.

Centuries

Tammy Beaumont – 104*: The season’s highest score in was posted by Tammy Beaumont – carrying her bat for 104 not out, as Kent posted a massive 146/0 against sorry Surrey, who were already relegated having clocked-up the lowest ever total in County T20 history in the previous round – bowled out by Middlesex for 25.

Danni Wyatt – 102: June 14th 2015 is a date Danni Wyatt will want to remember. Having hit 89 from 54 balls in Nottinghamshire’s first match against Middlesex; she then went on to smash her way to 102 against a Somerset attack which included England’s Anya Shrubsole. It wasn’t a faultless innings (she was dropped a couple of times) but it showed just what she is capable of; although amazingly, Notts actually lost both games.

Runs

Danni Wyatt – 287: Despite playing only 6 of 8 games due to England commitments, Wyatt managed to outscore all-comers with 2 fifties (against Middlesex and Surrey) in addition to her century against Somerset. Scoring 287 runs in the season, she also topped the averages list with 57.

Georgia Adams – 243: Sussex’s stylish opener hit 3 fifties (against Somerset, Surrey and Notts) on her way to a total of 243 – over a quarter of Sussex’s season runs – at an average of 35.

5-Fors

Jenny Gunn 5/3: Nottinghamshire’s Jenny Gunn, who wouldn’t have even been playing had she not been ruled out of the Women’s Ashes Test earlier that week by a trapped nerve in her neck, single-handedly denied Kent the title as she hit 51* and then took 5/3 as Notts handed Kent their second defeat of the season in their penultimate match.

Wickets

Jenny Gunn – 15: Thanks to her 5-for v Kent, Gunn topped the wickets table with 15 at an average of just 7.

Holly Colvin – 13: The retired England spinner is making a point of enjoying her cricket these days, which has been good news for Sussex and good news for the fans… but not quite such good news for the opposition batsmen! With best figures of 4/10 v Somerset, Colvin twirled her way to 13 wickets at an average of 11 – not bad for a player whose extensive work and charitable commitments mean she is barely able to train.

In the absence of official ICC Test rankings for women’s cricket, Australia seem to have unilaterally decided to declare themselves World No.1, on the basis of having beaten England in the Women’s Ashes Test.

And on cricket.com.au:

Super Stars rule in all three formats

What Australia seem to have forgotten however, is that there are actually 4 countries currently* playing women’s Test cricket – not just England and Australia, but also South Africa and India. Taking all 4 teams into account tells a significantly different story.

These rankings are based on the most recent qualifying* match between each team, allocating 2 points for a win and 1 for a draw. Where no match has been played, a “No Result” is declared, which is also worth 1 point.

So… congratulations to India and commiserations to Australia. And remember, as they say on the Lotto: Playing makes it possible! So why not play a few more Tests Australia? You never know where in the rankings it may take you!

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* Past 2 years.

This article was amended after final publication of the official scorecards showing Sussex (not Yorkshire) had clinched the T20 Cup.

In the final round of the T20 season, CRICKETher was at East Grinstead to see Sussex pull-off the two wins they needed to finish level on points with Yorkshire and Kent at the top of the table, bringing it all down to Net Run Rate, with Sussex emerging victorious by the tightest of margins to take the title.

Sussex v Berkshire

In a low-scoring game first up, Berkshire fell just 4 short of their 96-run target, though in fact they were perhaps fortunate to get so close after a flurry of wickets left them well behind the rate from early on in their chase.

The initial damage was done by Freya Davies (4-18), who took wickets in each over of her opening spell, including the dangerous Lissy Macleod (6) as Alexia Walker took a good low catch at mid-on. Corinne Hall was also sent back early, caught behind on 0 wafting at a wide one outside off stump.

Alex Rogers (in form after half-centuries in each of the two previous rounds of T20s) looked dangerous until Holly Colvin took a great catch looking over her shoulder running back at point off the bowling of Ellen Burt and she was out for 20. Only Carla Rudd (23) offered greater resistance, until she was bowled swinging at a straight ball of Paige Scholfield’s (2-6 off her 2 overs).

Fi Morris and Daisy Gardner were left at the crease needing 13 off the last over, but their valiant efforts could not quite see Berkshire over the line.

Earlier, Sussex had struggled to post 100 as a fine fielding display by Berkshire, in particular 14-year-old Lauren Bell, helped restrict the run rate. The powerplay overs yielded just 22 runs, as well as the wickets of Walker (1) and Georgia Adams (12). Oddly, leading strike bowler Gardner did not feature until the 16th over, with her first over a double wicket maiden. Some good strokes from Abbey Freeborn (25*) though, helped pull it back for the Prawns towards the end of their innings.

Berkshire v Somerset

An assured 48 off 49 balls from Sophie Luff set up Somerset to wallop Berkshire by 47 runs in the day’s second game.

Somerset got off to something of a flier, hitting 42 off the first 6 overs with Luff, who came in at 3 after Georgina Adcock had been well-caught on the deep extra cover boundary by Fi Morris, knocking it all around the wicket.

Although Somerset were pegged-back slightly in the middle overs after the introduction of the always-threatening Daisy Gardner, they got their motors on again towards the end of the innings. Luff was eventually stumped by Carla Rudd in the penultimate over, but Moira Comfort’s last-ditch 9 off 6 balls drove them to a total of 127-4.

A hill quickly became a mountain for the Beavers as Comfort, opening the bowling, reduced them to 2-0 in the first over, with Harris and Macleod both departing Leg Before Wicket. Bowling her 4 overs on the bounce, Comfort then added the scalps of Corinne Hall and Alex Rogers before the 8th over, to leave Berkshire reeling at 26-4.

There was really no way back from there, and though Carla Rudd (22) again offered some resistance, once she was bowled by Nicole Richards, Berkshire collapsed to 80 all out, as young No. 11 Lauren Bell – a real prospect with the ball and in the field – lopped a simple return catch to Kate Randall to end the Beaver’s T20 season on a disappointing low.

Sussex v Somerset

In an exciting final game which was a must-win for Sussex in their T20 title challenge, they successfully chased down the 128-run target set for them by Somerset with 2 overs to spare.

Once again Somerset’s batsmen played with freedom, with openers Georgina Adcock and Gwenan Davies both tonking it around the park, including a huge six from Davies over deep midwicket – the only maximum of the day. By the time of the introduction of Colvin in the 8th over they were 56-0, though she helped to stem the flow of runs, conceding just 11 runs off her 4 overs and removing both openers – Adock bowled round her legs for 25, and Davies stumped for 38.

Colvin finished with figures of 4-11 after two further stumpings in a quadruple-wicket final over, which also included 2 run outs. Nonetheless, Somerset’s total looked a formidable one; and one that they must have been fairly confident of defending.

They had reckoned without Sussex opener Georgia Adams, who found her best form of the season at just the right moment to keep her side in the hunt for the T20 cup. She raced to 60 off 54 balls, including 9 fours, well-backed up by Paige Scholfield (31), before being caught by Nicole Richards at backward point in the 14th over.

It was left to Hannah Phelps to hit the winning boundary off the last ball of the 18th over, as Sussex celebrated their victory.

It was however another 24 hours before they could celebrate winning the T20 Cup, as final publication of the official scorecards showed they’d pipped Yorkshire on Net Run Rate by just two-hundredths of a run.

Meanwhile Somerset captain Sophie Luff reflected upon a tough season in Division 1, admitting that it is a big step up from Division 2:

“There is a difference, but the round-robin thing has been really good – we’ve had chances and chances to keep coming back.”

“We’ve had some disappointing results, but this was our most all-round performance of the season – to beat Berkshire and come up close against Sussex was just outstanding.”

It’s a cold, wet Tuesday morning in Canterbury but there is a palpable sense of excitement in the air. The press box is already full and the England batsmen are practising in the nets below us. Everyone knows: this actually isn’t just “a” Test… it’s “The Test”.

Unlike in The Other Game, Women’s Test matches aren’t two-a-penny – 2014 was unusual in that there were three in an entire calendar year – Australia v England, England v India and India v South Africa.

This year, this is likely to be the only Women’s Test played anywhere in the world; and for these teams, this could be the last Test they play until 2018.

So you can understand why both captains seemed just that little bit more ‘up for it’ in their press conferences yesterday; and why all the players this morning are wearing such broad smiles of excitement tinged with perhaps a touch of nerves, as they warm-up in their brand new, starch-white jerseys.

For everyone here, Test cricket is still the pinnacle; and its relative scarcity means its value is beyond priceless.

It is a huge day for the players, a huge day for England and Australia, and a huge day for Women’s Cricket.

We can’t wait to get started!

You’re not Charlotte Edwards* but if you were, who would you be walking out onto the field with at Canterbury tomorrow?

(Plus see below for our teams!)

Syd’s Team

“For what it’s worth, I’d pick Wilson and Winfield, and rest Nat Sciver whose batting is more suited to a One Day role.”

1. Edwards
2. Knight
3. Wilson
4. Taylor
5. Winfield
6. Greenway
7. Brunt
8. Shrubsole
9. Gunn
10. Cross
11. Grundy

Raf’s Team

“Were she available for selection, I’d have to go with Amy Jones, after her 155* for the Academy last week. But she isn’t…so I’ve picked the next best batting line-up! I’d play Laura Marsh instead of Becky Grundy to shore up the lower-order batting (I think we’re gonna need it!)”

1. Edwards
2. Knight
3. Taylor
4. Wilson
5. Greenway
6. Sciver
7. Brunt
8. Gunn
9. Marsh
10. Shrubsole
11. Cross

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* At least… we assume you’re not Charlotte Edwards. However, if  you are Charlotte Edwards, then we do have just one question: WHY ARE YOU WASTING YOUR TIME MESSING ABOUT ON SILLY INTERNET POLLS THE DAY BEFORE A WOMEN’S ASHES TEST?!?!

Highest Total: 569 (Australia)

At Guildford in 1998, Australia declared at 569/6 in their first innings, after England (batting first) had posted 414. The match ended in a draw, with England 160/1 in their second knock.

Highest Score: 242 (Kiran Baluch, Pakistan)

At Karachi in 2004, opener Kiran Baluch hit 242 as Pakistan posted 426/7d batting first against West Indies. Pakistan bowled West Indies out for just 147 and enforced the follow-on; but West Indies saved the game with a second-innings of 440.

Lowest Total: 35 (England)

At Melbourne in 1958 England won the toss and asked Australia to bat – a decision which seemed vindicated as the Aussies were bowled out for the (then) lowest ever total in Women’s Tests – 38. It wasn’t a record that lasted long however; as Australia then knocked England over for 35. Amazingly however, the 3-day match still ended in a draw, as both teams made better work of their second knocks.

Best Bowling: 8/53 (Neetu David, India)

Indian spinner Neetu David is the only women to have taken 8 wickets in a Test innings, taking 8/53 in England’s second innings at Jamshedpur in 1995. It wasn’t quite enough however – England won the match by just 2 runs!

With Round 3 of the Women’s International Championship now completed, Australia sit way out ahead after their 4-2 points victory over England. Meanwhile, coming up in Round 4, England face South Africa and Australia travel to India.

With the top 4 teams automatically qualifying for the 2017 World Cup, England’s defeat in the Women’s Ashes ODI series means they end Round 3 in the right half of the table… but only just! Given that Australia have all-but qualified, the real battle is for places 2-through-4 and no one is out of that scrap yet by any means.

The big series of Round 4 is England v 2nd-placed South Africa. England will play 3 ODIs (February 7th, 12th & 14th) and 3 T20s (February 18th, 19th & 21st) against the Women Proteas in South Africa; and three wins for Mignon du Preez’ side would not only leave them very nicely placed for automatic qualification but potentially put England in a bit of trouble, given that New Zealand will be looking to take a maximum 6 points from their home series with Sri Lanka.

Also next February, Australia host India. Those matches take place just days after the climax of the Women’s Big Bash, so the Southern Stars will be match-fit, but (the Indians might also be hoping) perhaps also a little tired after the intensities of their domestic season. India will obviously be desperate to take something from that series; but keep in mind that the bottom 4 teams can still make the World Cup via the qualifying tournament – something which you’d certainly expect India to do.

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UPDATE: This article was updated on 09/08/15 – thanks to The Clanger for calling-out my dodgy maths – see below!

Beth Smith reports from Netherfield CC.

The Imps were on the road again on Sunday, travelling up to Cumbria with an extremely young side: the average age of the travelling team was just 18! The first game for Lincs was against the hosts, Cumbria – the first time the teams had met this season. The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first.

Two of the four senior players for Lincs, Amy Halloran (1-17) and Sarah McDowell (0-19), took the new ball and Cumbria got off to a quick start reaching 30-1 off the first 4 overs; the wicket coming from Halloran when the first junior got into the action with Ellie Stanley (U15) taking a sharp catch.

More experience came with the first change as Beth Smith took over from Halloran, opening her spell with a wicket maiden as U17 keeper India Freeman used quick hands to get Montgomery stumped, leaving the hosts 30-2 off 5. The mini Imps – Sammy-Jo Boothright (U15), Olivia Clark (U15), Becki Brooker (U17) and Amelia Gardner (U15) – then had their chance to shine, bowling in tandem with Smith before taking over completely to bowl the remaining overs.

Smith ended her overs with 2-17, her second wicket coming when Cowper skied a ball towards the youngest player in the squad, Clark (13), who took the challenging catch off her manager’s bowling which left the hosts 62-3. The mini Imps bowled their lines and length with Brooker (1-29) and Gardner (1-16) each gaining a deserved wicket. But the strength and experience of the more senior Cumbria batsmen came through as they more than doubled their halfway score ending on 145-5 with Sykes finishing on 48*.

Opening U17 pair, Freeman and Brooker, opened for the Ladies in reply and got off to a solid start with a partnership of 47 before Freeman was run out looking to increase the run rate. Halloran joined an in-form Brooker at the crease and the two stayed there for the remaining overs; both batted elegantly with prominent U17 captain Brooker showing her talent and reaching her 50.

However, tight bowling leading to a slow start meant the Imps required 26 off the last over. 2 dot balls and 3 singles were taken before Brooker, looking to end the innings in style, mistimed her shot and ended up caught and bowled on the last ball for 56.

A loss in the first game and the second being abandoned due to rain meant a dull day for the Imps, but spirits were kept high and the ladies will return to Cumbria on 30th August to face the same team in the 50-over format and will look to seek revenge. The mini Imps all held their own and their performances bode well for the rest of their respective Junior seasons: two 40-over games and the annual Malvern Tour for the U15s to look forward to, with the U17s having a T20 round left, along with five 45-over games.

A full scorecard can be found here.