Women’s Ashes 2025: Australia not ‘weakened’ by World Cup failure, says England’s Danni Wyatt-Hodge

Australia will not be weakened in the Women’s Ashes by their failure to defend their 20-over World Cup title, says England batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge.

Alyssa Healy’s side were knocked out in the semi-finals by South Africa in October, having gone into the tournament as the holders of both white-ball World Cups, the Women’s Ashes and the Commonwealth Games.

The multi-format Women’s Ashes starts on Saturday, 11 January (23:30 GMT) with the first of three one-day internationals, before three T20s and a four-day Test follow.

England last won the series in 2014, with Australia regaining them in 2015 and retaining them since.

Australia retained them in 2023 with an 8-8 draw, despite hosts England winning both white-ball series.

Asked if Australia will be weakened by failing to defend their T20 crown, Wyatt-Hodge said: “No, not at all. They have a quality squad.

“Anyone in their squad that comes in performs. Anyone in their line-up is capable of match-winning performances.

“It’s going to be a massive challenge for us, but one that we really can’t wait for.

“We play with and against the Aussies so much and we know what everyone does, and they know us inside out, so it’s going to be a very exciting series.”

England fast bowler Kate Cross agreed, telling the No Balls podcast: “We’ve spoken so much about us exiting the World Cup but they exited the World Cup as well and sometimes that can rejuvenate a team.

“I know how that feels from our side of the dressing room but equally it could be the same for them.”

Australia won one-day series against India and T20 World Cup champions New Zealand in December.

Captain Healy has recovered from injury to be part of the Ashes squad for the white-ball series, with a Test squad yet to be announced, though Sophie Molineux misses out after having knee surgery.