An unforgettable sporting week

When the first Australian cricket team to tour England – 13 Aboriginal men from western Victoria – did so in 1868, the idea of a national women’s soccer team would have been unimaginable to many people. On Monday, followers of traditional Test cricket and fans of the Matildas found themselves torn between sharply contrasting choices – the last day of the Ashes series or our women’s soccer team tackling Olympic champion Canada. Both were compelling. The fifth Test was poised on a knife edge; the Matildas were the underdogs.

Even with captain Sam Kerr on the bench and not playing, the Matildas pulverised Canada 4-0, powering their way into the FIFA Women’s World Cup round of 16. Two thrilling goals by Hayley Raso, one by Mary Fowler, a penalty conversion by Steph Catley and brilliant defensive play by the entire team showed they are not a one-woman outfit. But they will be even more formidable if Kerr is right to play next Monday evening, when the Sydney Opera House, fittingly, will be lit up for the match.

Twenty thousand kilometres away, the 49-run loss at The Oval was not what Aussies wanted, though we retain the urn because the series was drawn, two Tests apiece. Even with a long rain delay, the finale had all the drama that made the five Tests too engrossing for many of us to switch off and go to bed at a sensible hour. While backing Pat Cummins’s men through every ball, stroke, catch and controversy, we hoped the series would be hard fought. And it was.

Bazball may come and go. But it seemed to inject a sense of purpose into the Poms, who didn’t fold as they have too often in recent years when Australia has applied the pressure. Aside from the ungracious muddle over last drinks on Monday, Australia’s guard of honour for Stuart Broad showed a good spirit between two competitive teams who know they are part of a tradition bigger than any of them. That spirit was tested by pantomime villains in the Long Room at Lord’s after the stumping of Jonny Bairstow that was fair and well within the rules. The bungled ball swap at Lord’s by the umpires did not do the Australians any favours and helped our opponents.

But we’re not Poms so we won’t whinge. By November 2025, when the English arrive on our shores in the quest to win back the coveted urn, both sides will have new players in key positions. And the rivalry and the interest in the original, best, form of the game will be as spirited as ever. The spoils of the series were shared, but the big winner was Test cricket. Like the Matildas, it should encourage youngsters on to the field.