Rare Test dream looms for hopeful debutantes

Rachael Haynes can empathise with the nervous wait faced by Australia's potential Test debutantes this week ahead of the sole Test of the multi-format women's Ashes.

Australian vice-captain Haynes made her Test debut in Worcester in 2009 and will line up for her fifth appearance in the Baggy Green at Taunton's County Ground on Thursday.

There are six uncapped Test players in Australia's squad of 15 and after all made cases for selection during the three-day warm-up match in Marlborough last week, some tough calls will have to be made by selectors.

"(Selection) is going to be really tough, there's going to be some disappointed people," Haynes said from Taunton.

"But the best thing about the tour match was that lots of people put their hands up and put their names forward.

"It's a good position to be in, where you have to make some tough decisions, so the selectors will sit down and work out what the best combination is for the Test."

Those vying for a Test debut are spin-bowling allrounders Sophie Molineux and Ashleigh Gardner, leg-spinner Georgia Wareham, and pace bowlers Tayla Vlaeminck, Nicola Carey and Delissa Kimmince.

There's been a unique buzz around the Australian camp since they completed the ODI leg of the multi-format Ashes and swapped their coloured clothes for whites.

With women's Tests only played as part of the Ashes – and with only one Test per series – Thursday's game is a rare chance to wear the Baggy Green.

"I remember Allan Border presented my Test cap – all those little moments you'll never forget throughout your career," said Haynes, who scored 98 in what was a memorable Test debut in 2009.

"I've been fortunate enough to play in four, hopefully that's five come this week.

"It's a really exciting time, we don't get to play Test cricket too often, so it's a bit different and there's a lot of buzz and anticipation about the group."

The Australians arrived in Taunton on Sunday and were given a day off on Monday to refresh their bodies and minds ahead of the Test. They'll then be expected to hit the ground running for the first of two training sessions in Taunton on Tuesday, with the final XI not expected to be known until the morning of the match.

They'll be taking on an England team who are facing the prospect of needing to win the Test and all three T20Is to prevent Australia retaining the points-based series, with the tourists currently holding a 6-0 lead after winning all three games in the ODI leg.

But the hosts will come into the Test with renewed confidence, having completed an emphatic 319-run warm-up win over Australia A on Sunday – a match that saw Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones and Natalie Sciver all hit centuries, while Australia A managed to take just three wickets across two innings in the three-day hit out.

"I've got no doubt they're going to respond as a group, they really have to, to get back into the series," Haynes said.

"Having played against them before, often when they've got their backs against the wall they really do come and have a good crack so we're expecting nothing less during this Test.

"We know it will be a tough fight but we're well and truly looking forward to it."

Day one of the Taunton Test will begin at 11am on Thursday local time (8pm AEST) and will be broadcast live and free on the Nine Network and ABC Radio.

CommBank Ashes Tour of England

Australia lead England 6-0

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: Australia won by four wickets

July 7:  Australia won by 194 runs

July 11-13: Australia won by 240 runs

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