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Aggressive Villani knows only one way

Australia batter primed for Ashes after hammering century in last practice match

Elyse Villani will enter Sunday’s first Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes ODI in red-hot form after striking a blistering century in Australia’s final practice match on Friday.

A squad focus of the Southern Stars since their semi-final exit from the Women’s World Cup this winter is to be more aggressive and imposing on the field, and while that was understood to be when bowling, Villani was an exemplar of the new attitude with bat.

“It always has to be in my mindset,” Villani said after play when asked if she consciously chose to be extra attacking.

“If I think any differently I get myself into some strife.

“I like to bat attackingly. I know it’s not going to come off every time but I also know that it’s my role within the team.”

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Opening the innings for Team Gold against Team Green in the intra-squad match at Marist College Ashgrove, the right-hander fearlessly walked down to opening seam bowler Lauren Cheatle and clocked two boundaries off the left-armer in her second over.

Boundaries rained from the bat of the 28-year-old as she reached her half-century within the hour, the milestone celebrated with the limpest of bat raises to her applauding teammates in the John Eales Stand.

The carnage continued after 50. Using the sweep shot to great effect against spin twins Kristen Beams and Jess Jonassen, Villani peppered the leg-side rope with ruthless regularity.

At one minute shy of two hours at the crease she moved to three figures, reaching the landmark with a sweetly timed flick to the backward square leg boundary. Her second celebration of the day was no more animated than her first.

In total, Villani struck 18 boundaries and one six before her innings came to an end on 126 from 110 balls, retiring out as the pillar of her side’s total of 9-306.

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The knock backed up her 139 for Western Australia against South Australia in the opening match of the Women’s National Cricket League last weekend.

All that’s left between now and facing England at Allan Border Field on Sunday is one last training session, where the XI will likely be finalised.

There is still uncertainty about the make-up of the starting side, with one of the top seven possibly standing aside to make way for another allrounder to address the sixth bowler issue in the 50-over format.

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That could mean a reshuffle in the batting order, and if that results in Villani jumping up from No.5 where she’s batted the past six times for Australia, it won’t faze her.

“I’ve opened a lot in my career to date (15 innings for Australia) and bat No.3 with the Western Fury, so the new ball I’m used to it in some aspects but wearing a different uniform today and opening I had a good time,” she said. 

“I feel mentally ready and I feel prepared and I guess that’s all you can be."


Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes

Australia squad (ODI and Test): Rachael Haynes (C), Alex Blackwell (VC), Kristen Beams, Nicole Bolton, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa (Test only), Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.

England squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Laura Marsh, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor, Nat Sciver, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt.


Schedule



First ODI Allan Border Field, October 22

Brisbane Charity Partner: Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust

Second ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 26

Third ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 29

Coffs Junior Cricket Association Partners: Coffs Harbour District JCA, Nambucca Bellingen JCA, and Clarence River JCA

Day-Night Test North Sydney Oval, November 9-12

First T20 North Sydney Oval, November 17

North Sydney Charity Partner: McGrath Foundation

Second T20 Manuka Oval, November 19

Third T20 Manuka Oval, November 21

Canberra Charity Partner: Lord's Taverners ACT