Women's Ashes, July 21-Aug 31

[GarlicJam]

after Charlotte Edwards won the toss and chose to bowl

for the third time running, isn't it?

[dan08]

More runs for Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry.

[andy]

6 down now... still 111 needed from 79 balls

[Aidan11]

Australia win.

[GarlicJam]

Must be Aus' turn to win the toss for the test. If they only win it once in the series, this'll be the one.

[hopeforthebest]

Since the women were put on contracts similar to the men they're playing as bad as them.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Looks like the women's ashes may be mirroring the men's. A good win for the English in the first game followed by two thumpings!

[braveneutral]

I get knocked down but I get up again.

Errr no you didn't.

[Dr Cricket]

Just reading this article.
surely the english Women cricket team are being overrated.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/blogs/conte ... 07893.html

Can we replicate this in other bilateral series? It's a tricky one. The current problem in women's cricket is that England and Australia are pulling ahead of the other nations. The last World Cup in 2013, which featured Sri Lanka's first ever win against England and the appearance of West Indies in the final, was widely proclaimed as evidence that the other countries were finally "catching up". Yet since then both Cricket Australia and the ECB have introduced lucrative contracts for their women players - lucrative enough that some players in each team can now afford to go professional. It's the biggest investment in women cricketers by any cricket board(s) in the history of the sport.

Not sure England are actually pulling ahead of the others though.
in the Women championship england are 4th.
With South Africa and West indes ahead of them.
England even lost test to india last year and india are last in the table.

By the way I agree with the rest of the article think the point system should be brought in all contest.
Even the Sky Commentators always act like England are the best or the 2nd best team in the world.

Also even though the rest of the countries are still part time the budget and facilities have increased by a huge amount might explain South Africa, Sri lanka, Pakistan and West Indies quick progress.
Don't think the professional gap between England/Australia and the rest is huge like they suggest it is.

if anything the gap is getting smaller.

Till Australia/England dominate Women cricket and thrash rest of the teams it is hard to say going professional will make a difference especially now when Women Cricket in Pakistan, South Africa and West indies is improving so much.

[dan08]

I'd say England are definitely the 2nd best team in the world.

[Dr Cricket]

I'd say England are definitely the 2nd best team in the world.

Not sure I would agree didn't make the final in the last odi word cup.

They did win the odi series against NZ but lost the two games that count for the qualification process and the league and lost to Australia.

Also they did lose to india in the test last year.

They might still be 2nd best but the gap between them are the rest is getting smaller not larger.

[hopeforthebest]

The girls from Oz have so far looked a class above England in this series. Maybe the extra cash and the hype is going to their heads.

[rich1uk]

anyone else think its strange that the ECB's director of womens cricket works as a pundit/commentator on SKY

couldn't see strauss doing that now

must be a conflict of interest for her , I know commentators tend not to be impartial but how can someone employed by the ECB even pretend to be

[Aidan11]

Does seem odd.

I suppose as long as she isn't criticising the players its ok.

[GarlicJam]

After a very slow start,Aus look to be moving along ok, at 0/59.