Villani, Redmayne star as 'A' side thrash England

Elyse Villani says Australia A are determined to do their bit to keep the blowtorch on the entire England touring party, after they romped to a 10-wicket victory over England A in Friday's second T20.

Ellyse Perry turned out for the 'A' side at Karen Rolton Oval after being overlooked for Australia's Ashes opener the previous evening, but despite being listed at No.3, the allrounder was denied the chance to spend any time in the middle, as Villani and opening partner Georgia Redmayne reeled in the target of 151 with 15 balls to spare.

Villani smacked an unbeaten 94 from 63 balls, and Redmayne 50no from 43, to seal a series victory in the shortest format with one game remaining.

An improved batting performance from England A, led by Emma Lamb (52no from 43), had helped them post 4-150 from their 20 overs, despite another superb spell from leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington (2-22).

Image Id: E6C6B5E880564C3094141D741012C590 Image Caption: Elyse Villani smashed 13 fours in her unbeaten 94 // Getty

Perry was unable to find her rhythm with the ball as her first over when for 14 runs, and she finished her three overs with figures of 0-26, but Australia teammate Annabel Sutherland (0-16 off three overs) managed to restrict the tourists in perfect batting conditions.

An Australia A batting line-up featuring Perry, Phoebe Litchfield, Sutherland, Georgia Voll and Heather Graham were then left to enjoy the Villani and Redmayne show; for England A, only teenage quick Izzy Wong (0-16) managed to keep an economy rate below a run a ball.

The 'A' tour is running concurrently to the Ashes, with three one-dayers to follow in Canberra during the one-off Test match, and Villani said Australia A were determined to maintain the winning momentum across both squads following’s Australia’s nine-wicket win on Thursday.

"Redders (Redmayne) as captain has been talking about this as our own mini Ashes series," Villani said.

"We won the first game against England A, then the Aussies won last night and (assistant coach) Dan Marsh said at the start of the day about us needing to continue that momentum and it was our turn again to take it to England, and that's what we did."

Image Id: 3A8AA2843A914AD399C67978A02CDEE5 Image Caption: Georgia Redmayne anchored the run chase with 50 not off 43 balls // Getty

Villani said she was relishing the chance to work with, and mentor, some of the young talent in the Australia A group, which includes the likes of Litchfield, Voll, Courtney Sippel and Villani's Melbourne Stars teammates Tess Flintoff and Nicole Faltum.

"I was really lucky in my younger days to play with some amazing senior players and the knowledge that they shared with me early in my career I was really grateful for," Villani said.

"I feel like I've learned a lot throughout my career and any knowledge that I can pass on to the younger girls … I really enjoy investing in that.

"It allows me to get out of my own head and they're just such great people that you want to invest as much as you can.

Image Id: 2922DA5E2A1E48B3AD47CDC2CBDA257B Image Caption: Ellyse Perry in action for the 'A' team after missing Ashes selection // Getty

"I've been really impressed with George Voll and Phoebe Litchfield and their ability to ask questions.

"The first thing that Pez (Perry) said to me in the changerooms when she came back to play with us today was, "it's a good crew in here isn't it?"

"I feel like both squads have great people and great cricketers and we're extremely lucky with the depth that we have in Australian cricket."

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes v England

Australia Ashes squad: Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes (vc), Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Meg Lanning (c), Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck

England Ashes squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver (vc), Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt

Australia lead the multi-format series 2-0

Jan 20: Australia won by nine wickets

Jan 22: Second T20, Adelaide Oval, 2.10pm AEDT

Jan 23: Third T20, Adelaide Oval, 2.10pm AEDT

Jan 27-30: Test match, Manuka Oval, 10am AEDT, 

Feb 3: First ODI, Manuka Oval (D/N), 2.10pm AEDT

Feb 6: Second ODI, Junction Oval, 10.05am AEDT

Feb 8: Third ODI, Junction Oval, 10.05am AEDT

Australia A v England A

Australia A squad: Georgia Redmayne (c), Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns (OD only), Stella Campbell, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Heather Graham, Phoebe Litchfield, Katie Mack (OD only), Courtney Sippel, Molly Strano (OD only), Elyse Villani, Georgia Voll, Courtney Webb, Amanda-Jade Wellington

England A squad: Emily Arlott, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Alice Davidson-Richards, Georgia Elwiss, Kirstie Gordon, Eve Jones, Beth Langston, Emma Lamb, Bryony Smith, Ellie Threlkeld, Issy Wong

Jan 20: Australia A won by three wickets

Jan 21: Australia A won by 10 wickets

Jan 23: Third T20, Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide, 10am AEDT

Jan 28: First OD, Philip Oval, Canberra, 10am AEDT

Jan 30: Second OD, Philip Oval, Canberra, 10am AEDT

Feb 2: Third OD, Philip Oval, Canberra, 10am AEDT