Australia begin search for Ashes opener

The search for Nicole Bolton’s Test opening partner officially began in Canberra on Wednesday as the Australians had their first hit out in white pads against the pink ball at Manuka Oval.

Bolton was joined by Alyssa Healy at the top of the order for the ODI leg of the multi-format Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes Series, and together the pair put on two century opening stands in the 2-1 series win.

But following Sunday’s loss to England in Coffs Harbour, coach Matthew Mott revealed Healy would likely shift down the order at bat in the wicketkeeper’s traditional spot at No.7, meaning Bolton will have a different partner to face the new pink ball at North Sydney Oval.

One option for the selectors would be to reinstate Queensland’s Beth Mooney, who was dropped from the ODI squad to allow allrounder Tahlia McGrath into the side and Healy up the order.

Mooney and Bolton are no strangers to one another, having opened together 16 times in ODI cricket and would pose a double left-handed combination to England’s right-arm new-ball bowlers Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole.

If Australia want to continue down the path of pairing an aggressive batter with the more measured Bolton, Elyse Villani could be promoted to opener.

Villani and Bolton were the first-wicket partnership in the last Test Australia played in 2015 against England in Kent and would keep the right-hand, left-hand blend that was used in the ODIs.

While it’s still unclear as to who will partner Bolton in the day-night Test all will likely be revealed in the nation’s capital this weekend when Australia walk out to bat in Manuka.

Australia arrived in the nation’s capital on Monday to play a three-day practice match against an ACT XI under lights from Friday to prepare for the first-ever day day-night Ashes Test match next week in Sydney.

With only one practice match before the Test at North Sydney Oval, the player who will open with Bolton in Canberra is odds-on to face the new ball against England.

Regardless of who joins her, Bolton says they key will be blunting England’s elite new-ball attack of Brunt and Shrubsole, just as she and Healy did in the ODI series.

Between them, Brunt and Shrubsole captured just four wickets in the three matches spaced out between Brisbane and Coffs Harbour, with tyro Brunt wicketless in the final two matches.

A big reason for Brunt’s lack of potency was the impact of Healy, who targeted the speedster from the get-go in each match by hitting the bowler off her length and to the boundary.

Given Healy’s effectiveness against Brunt, Bolton wouldn’t be surprised if she retained her spot despite Mott’s comments.

“She (Healy) batted unbelievably,” Bolton said.

“It’s the best I’ve seen her bat at the moment and she’s in really good form.

“I just think the match up worked really well. Healy is very comfortable against Brunt and Brunt probably didn’t get as much swing as she would’ve liked.

“Whether they (the selectors) keep that momentum going up the top or they go a more conservative approach, I’m not too sure.

“I feel like we’ve got the batters here that can bat in any sort of position on any given.

“We’ll just be looking to put a fair total on the board.”

While Healy handled Brunt it was left to Bolton to tackle swing-bowler Shrubsole in the preceding one-dayers.

The Western Australian was dismissed by Shrubsole in her maiden Test innings two years ago and won’t be taking the World Cup final hero lightly.

“Anya is still very difficult up front particularly as a lefty with the ball going across,” she said.

“I see her playing a huge role in terms of drying up the run rate.

“But we’ve played against these girls throughout WBBL so we’re getting really accustomed to how they go about their game.”

Bolton is hoping her one Test appearance will hold her in good stead when she dons the Baggy Green for a second time on November 9.

“I was so nervous,” Bolton said when asked about her first Test. “Debut Test match, and when the toss was done and we were batting I think I was a little bit nervous in the changeroom.

“Having that experience and going into my second Test, it was two years ago, I feel like I’m in a good space with my batting.

“I’m really excited, I know the group is, and were looking forward to getting a bit of practice in over the next three (match) days.”

Watch the Women’s Ashes Test LIVE and FREE on cricket.com.au and the Cricket Australia Live app, with enhanced coverage thanks to the support of Commonwealth Bank.

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes

Australia lead England 4-2

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 Australia won by two wickets

Second ODI Australia won by 75 runs (DLS method)

Third ODI England won by 20 runs (DLS method)

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