Australia could have two first-gamers in opening Ashes Test against England

A 20-year-old phenom and a former Irish international look set to make their Test debuts for Australia at Trent Bridge.

The final make-up of Australia‘s team for the first Ashes Test remains a mystery but captain Alyssa Healy lauded rookie opener Phoebe Litchfield, declaring she looks like “a brilliant international cricketer” ahead of her debut.

Kim Garth, who played 85 white-ball matches for Ireland before moving to Australia in 2019, has already made her T20 and ODI debuts for her adopted country and could be picked ahead of veteran swing bowler Megan Schutt.

Healy, standing in for Meg Lanning who withdrew from the tour, conceded to a bit of nerves and some “unknowns” about both teams, with Australia shaking up its batting and bowling and the home team naming two first-gamers.

The skipper, also Australia’s wicketkeeper, is moving down the batting order having been a long-time opener and, with the potential for both Garth and Litchfield to play, and even possibly two leg-spinners, the Ashes holders could look distinctly different from their most recent clash last December.

“I think for the first time there‘s probably a sense of unknown about both sides,” Healy said on the eve of the game.

“It’s sort of like a next gen are banging on the door and giving us a glimpse into what the Ashes series could look like for the next 10 years moving forward, which is really exciting.

The Aussies will take on a new look against England. Picture: Jan Kruger – ECB/ECB via Getty Images

“If you look at the make-up of our squad, we’ve got two leg-spinners, so looking at the balance of our side and potentially the conditions out there is probably going to dictate where we lean on that.

“But other than that, I think we’re pretty much settled, it’s just a couple of calls here and there and what it looks like from a line-up perspective as well.

“This is probably one of the most hyped Women’s Ashes series that I’ve been a part of over here and especially off the back of yesterday (Australia men’s Test victory at Edgbaston) it’s a really exciting time to be out here to play cricket.”

Healy was full of praise for Litchfield, 20, who will replace her at the top of the order in her first Test.

“She looked the goods that’s for sure in the three-day match against England A,” Healy said.

“She’s a great option for us at the top. There’s been a lot spoken about the opportunities up there and she looks like a brilliant international cricketer for Australia and I can’t wait to see what she can do.”

Ellyse Perry during a nets session at Trent Bridge. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Healy said her team was preparing for the “mental battle” of Test cricket, which they rarely play, conceding it would take some adapting to.

“Five days here could be really interesting,” she said.

“It’s probably just a mental battle and there could be a bit of trench warfare at times, but I think we’re willing to see how that goes.”

The Test is the first of seven matches, with three ODIs and three T20s to decide the Ashes.

Originally published as Australia could have two first-gamers in opening Ashes Test against England