'Keeper Healy promoted to open the batting as England name an unchanged XI from the side that won the World Cup in July
Aussies bowl first in Ashes opener
Australia captain Rachael Haynes has won the toss and elected to bowl first in the opening match of the Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes against England at Allan Border Field.
Haynes had no hesitation in sending England into bat first, with the 50-over clash the first in the battle for the multi-format Ashes over the next month.
Persistent rain cleared overnight in Brisbane and blue skies greeted fans at the Brisbane venue, allaying Saturday's fears of a shortened game.
Australia XI: Bolton, Healy (wk), Perry, Villani, Haynes (c), Blackwell, McGrath, Gardner, Wellington, Jonassen, Schutt #WomensAshes%E2%80%94 cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) October 21, 2017
England XI: Winfield, Beaumont, Taylor (wk), Knight (c), Sciver, Wilson, Brunt, Gunn, Shrubsole, Marsh, Hartley #WomensAshes%E2%80%94 cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) October 21, 2017
Kristen Beams, Lauren Cheatle and Beth Mooney were left out of the Australia XI, while England have named an unchanged side from the one that won the World Cup final earlier this year.
Wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy will open the batting for Australia, who will be without star batter Meg Lanning because of injury.
Today's pitch. Toss in around 10 minutes #WomensAshes #BeatEngland pic.twitter.com/vlLiMJewxx%E2%80%94 Australia Women 🏏 (@SouthernStars) October 21, 2017
The Southern Stars have a deep batting line-up for the series-opener, with three spin options in Ashleigh Gardner, Jess Jonassen and Amanda Wellington featuring alongside quicks Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath and Megan Schutt.
The Women’s Ashes is contested across all three formats, with the team that gains the most points awarded the trophy.
Pez seeing them well early! #WomensAshes #BeatEngland pic.twitter.com/SklfuSt8KA%E2%80%94 Australia Women 🏏 (@SouthernStars) October 21, 2017
Australia and England will play seven matches in total – three ODIs, one day-night Test and three T20Is.
Each limited-overs win is worth two points (one point if the game is a tie or abandoned), while the winner of the Test will walk away with four points (two points each if drawn).
This system was introduced in 2013, meaning this is the fourth Ashes to be played under these rules.
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