Ashes rivals agree on need for review system

There’s generally little Australia and England can agree on, but the use – or lack thereof – of the Decision Review System in the ongoing women’s Ashes series is one such subject.

Australia claimed a tense two-wicket win at Leicester’s Grace Road in the opening one-dayer of the multi-format series on Tuesday, chasing England’s 177 after a batting stumble.

Good bowling and rash shots were to blame for the majority of wickets that fell on Tuesday, but England middle-order batter Fran Wilson could rightfully have felt aggrieved for the circumstances under which her innings came to an end on 21 in the 12th over of England’s innings.

Attempting to dig the home team out of trouble with Natalie Sciver, having earned a spot in XI at the expense of Danni Wyatt, Wilson had made a promising start striking three boundaries when she was given out lbw to left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen in the 12th over.

She appeared baffled as the umpire raised his finger – and justifiably so, with replays showing the ball had clearly struck her on the gloves. But with no DRS available she had no avenue of appeal, leaving England 5-44.

"We’d love DRS, it’s something we want as players," England captain Heather Knight said. "I’d imagine the reason, as usual in women’s cricket, is money as to why we don’t have it.

"I think potentially not having it affects the spectacle of the game.

"Sometimes decisions don’t go your way but it’s the same for both sides, but in an ideal world we’d have DRS.

"We’re always pushing for things to improve and women’s cricket has been on a journey and is moving forward at a rapid pace, so hopefully DRS is one of those things that’ll come into the game on a regular basis."

Currently, DRS is rarely a feature of women’s matches. The first time it was used was in the 2017 World Cup – for television matches only – while it was available for every game of the 2018 T20 World Cup, when every match was broadcast.

Under the ICC playing conditions for women's ODIs (1.1.4), it is at the discretion of participating boards to employ DRS for an ODI. This mirrors the position in the men's playing conditions (1.1.5)

"I must admit I think if you’ve got the technology there and you’ve got enough cameras, it should come in," Australia coach Matthew Mott said on Tuesday.

Image Id: 5A52C6A050D948CC88D1B457FF6D2D62 Image Caption: Matthew Mott agrees for the need of DRS in elite women's cricket // Getty

"It certainly makes sense for me to have it if we can. I couldn’t imagine any of the coaches knocking it back because it’s an added resource.

"In big matches like this there’s plenty at stake, so I’d love to see it in."

While her side benefitted from the Wilson decision on Tuesday, Australia opener Alyssa Healy echoed Knight’s sentiments.

"I think, why wouldn’t we have it? Especially being a televised game, there’s a real opportunity to have it," Healy said.

" I’d like to see it in our game, it’s going to take the howler out of the situation.

"There’s a couple of ours (decisions) we could have reviewed as well."

After claiming the first two points of the multi-format series, Australia will look to extend their lead to 4-0 when the second game gets underway in Leicester on Thursday.

The game is scheduled to begin at 2pm local time (11pm AEST) with coverage live and free on the Nine Network and ABC Radio, while news, scores and highlights can be found on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app. 

CommBank Ashes Tour of England

Australia lead England 2-0

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

England ODI squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Jenny Gunn, Amy Jones, Laura Marsh, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danni Wyatt 

July 2: Australia won by two wickets

July 4: Second ODI, Grace Road, Leicester

July 7:  Third ODI, St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury

July 11-13: England Academy v Australia, Marlborough College, Swindon

July 18-21: Only Test, The County Ground, Taunton

July 26: First T20, County Ground, Chelmsford

July 28: Second T20, The County Ground, Hove

July 31: Third T20, Bristol County Ground, Bristol

A Test victory is worth four points (two each for a draw), two points are awarded for ODI and T20 wins