Cricket Australia kicks off Women’s Ashes Test countdown with iconic photos

Cricket Australia has released some iconic photos showing Australia captain Alyssa Healy and vice-captain Tahlia McGrath preparing for the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) as the countdown to the historic Day-Night Test Women’s Ashes begins.

Healy and McGrath accompanied each other to the MCG on Monday night to mark the six-month mark until Australia and England meet in the opening day-night Test at the venue.

The test will start from January 30 and will continue till February 2, 2025.

The landmark match coincides with the 90th anniversary of the first women’s Test match at the MCG, which took place during the Australia-England series in 1934-35.

Australia captain Alyssa Healy said: “We are looking forward to playing the first day-night Test at the MCG. It will be a special occasion as we mark the 90th anniversary of the first women’s Test series under lights at this iconic venue.

“We are gearing up for a big summer, including the ICC T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, the home white-ball series against New Zealand and India culminating in the multi-format Ashes series. We hope the Australian fans will help us as we face some tough opposition this summer”.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley was looking forward to the “illustrious” Australia Women’s “historic first day-night Test” at the world-famous venue in just six months’ time.

Hockley expressed his gratitude to the Victorian Government and the MCG for their support and said this series “promises to be a landmark for Australian sport”.

MCG Chief Executive Stuart Fox said: “The MCG hosted the first international Test match in 1877, the first one-day international in 1971 and saw over 86,000 for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final between Australia and India in 2020.

“We now have the opportunity to host our first day-night Test in what is sure to be another momentous moment in the storied history of the MCG.

“It is extremely special that this milestone falls with a Women’s Ashes Test, a series we love at the MCG, and as we mark the 90th anniversary of hosting our first Women’s Test.”