Healy saved her most pointed words for England,following comments by young fast bowler Issy Wong that this may be a good time to face Australia,followingthe retirement of Rachael Haynes and in the enforced absence of Meg Lanning. The previous Ashes Test between the two sides finished in a memorable draw at Canberra’s Manuka Oval. The new series will start with the sole Test at Trent Bridge,offering plenty of possibilities for a result pitch.
“I read the quote,and then I actually read the whole piece instead of just what she said,and it was actually a glowing endorsement for our group,but people chose to take those couple of sentences which was funny,” Healy said.
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“I don’t think we can hide from the fact we’ve come into this Ashes series and there is no Meg Lanning,no Rachael Haynes. We’ve lost a lot of experience but I’m completely comfortable with the troops we’ve got sitting in the change room,that what they’re going to bring to this series is just as good as what we’ve ever done.
“I’m hoping they’re potentially taking us a little bit lightly because I think you do that at your own detriment. The group we’ve got in the change room are incredibly good at their job,and hopefully we can show them just that.”
The team’s evolution is typified not just by Litchfield,but also the emergence of Tahlia McGrath as a top-quality all-rounder and as vice-captain. Annabel Sutherland’s batting continues to grow,while Georgia Wareham and Alana King offer contrasting but dangerous wrist spin options in addition to the longstanding threats of Megan Schutt and Jess Jonassen.
“We’ve made a real conscious effort when we have had opportunities to blood some young players or give them some experience or opportunity that we’ve made that decision,” Healy said.