Women’s Ashes Test: England turn to young spinner Kirstie Gordon in bid to get back into series
England have turned to inexperienced spinner Kirstie Gordon to breathe some life into their Ashes campaign as Australia threaten to run away with the series even before the T20s are played.
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Come in spinner.
A desperate England has hatched an audacious plan to wrestle Australia’s grasp on this year’s Ashes trophy by naming Kirstie Gordon for the one-off women’s Test starting ton Thursday night at Taunton.
Led by a rampaging Ellyse Perry - the form bowler of the series - Australia is on the verge of retaining the Ashes after winning all three ODIs.
Hosts England must win the Test to be any chance of keeping the series alive.
Enter 21-year-old left-arm spinner Gordon.
Gordon is yet to play an ODI or Test for England but took eight wickets in a warm-up match between Australia and the Women’s Academy.
And whispers coming out of Taunton are that the traditionally batter friendly wicket is being prepped to turn.
Gordon has previously represented Scotland but a move to the English Kia Super League last year has put her firmly on England’s radar.
Gordon is able to represent England because Scotland is classed as only an associate nation by the ICC.
But Australia has its own spinning wildcard in left-arm orthodox all-rounder Sophie Molineux, who has been drafted into the squad after good performances for Australia A.
Molineux is an out-and-out wicket-taker. She is also a strong batter who proved herself in the three-day warm-up match against England Academy.
She scored 65 and 33 (both unbeaten) and claimed 1-11 and 4-30, dismissing England players Lauren Winfield, Fran Wilson, Danni Wyatt and Sophia Dunkley.
Young quick Tayla Vlaeminck is also in with a strong chance to make her Ashes debut, following a spell of bowling against the Academy which saw her return figures of 4-31 in the first innings and opened the bowling to claim 1-19 in the second.
Australia coach Matthew Mott and captain Meg Lanning have already flagged support of Vlaeminck’s raw speed and fear factor.
VERDICT:
Australia has England at its mercy. Up 6-0 in the series after three ODIs - Australia will want to win and not just draw the Test (worth four points).
Australia’s depth in batting and better tactical awareness will see the Aussies retain the Ashes.
WHAT I WANT TO SEE:
An all firing Alyssa Healy to stay at top of the order and crack a Test hundred and two sides playing for outright victory.