Australia could bring Georgia Wareham in as second leg-spinner for ODI against England in Hobart

England came to Australia expecting fast and bouncy Ashes wickets but spinning pitches so far have even surprised the home team who could swing a change to try and increase their lead in the series.

A change to the Australian line-up is on the cards for the third Ashes ODI on Friday with Georgia Wareham “in the mix” to play on an unusually dry wicket in Hobart potentially giving the home side two leg-spinners after Alana King tore through England in Melbourne on Tuesday.

But while King’s 4-25 earned her player of the match honours at the Junction Oval in a “bloody gutsy” Australian win, two England spinners took seven wickets between then as they rolled Australia for the lowest score on home soil in over 15 years of just 180.

The tourists boast the No.1 ranked bowler in the world, left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone who took four wickets of her own, with off-spinner Alice Capsey taking three, and the “different” Bellerive Oval wicket could provide them the opportunity to get their first points in the multi-format contest Australia leads 4-0.

The potential inclusion of Wareham, who also averages 28 with the bat and has opened in the WBBL, could squeeze out one of Australia’s battling middle-order batters, with vice-captain Tahlia McGrath in a form slump and Beth Mooney averaging just 17 in her past eight ODIs.

“I think she’s certainly in the mix to play. I think when the wicket is a little bit drier, it holds up and spins,” Australian assistant coach Dan Marsh, a former player and coach of Tasmania, said of Wareham.

Georgia Wareham could be brought in for the third ODI. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

“Both North Sydney and the Junction (for the first two ODIs) had a lot of thatchy grass and it grabbed and spun. This one looks a bit drier, less grass but a bit drier.

“We’re expecting a bit of spin which is probably a little bit different to a normal Bellerive wicket.”

King said after the win in Melbourne that the Aussies were “calm for a bit longer” than the English batters who were urged to be more proactive by captain Heather Knight.

Marsh said there was “no doubt that would have been a hard loss for England” but on arrival at the ground on Thursday, star England batter Nat Sciver Brunt said it was crucial they “look forward” and make the mindset shift needed to put pressure back on Australia.

“Being two games down already, we need to be trying to shift the momentum our way,” she said.

“We have to make some changes and look forward, we can’t dwell too much on what’s happened … the only thing we can change is what’s in front of us.

Alana King rips through Danni Wyatt-Hodge's stumps for her 50th ODI wicket 🔥@hcltech#PlayoftheDay#Ashespic.twitter.com/VoJaFtb4zI

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 14, 2025

“From that perspective , being a little bit more proactive, playing to our strengths a little bit more, not necessarily being reckless, but being smart with that and using our strengths to I guess take pressure off ourselves and move the game forward.

“The skills required are already within us it’s just a little bit of a mindset shift.

“Ashes cricket is like nothing else, because you play the same team every time, but that has it;’s own nuances, you work out your plans for everyone, and it’s a mental game as much as it is a skilful game, and we are ready for the challenge.”

A series of three T20s will follow the third ODI before the series concludes with a day-night Test at the MCG.

Originally published as Australia could bring Georgia Wareham in as second leg-spinner for ODI against England in Hobart