England tap Mott for inside info on Aussies for Ashes.

| June 12, 2023

England will draw on the inside knowledge of former Australia Women’s coach Matthew Mott as they attempt to win back the Women’s Ashes.

England coach Jon Lewis said England are ready for the “great challenge” after enlisting the help of the Australian to boost their cause.

Queensland-born Mott, now England men’s white-ball coach, spent seven years in charge of Australia Women before leaving his role last year.

Lewis said: “I had a really good conversation with Matthew. We talked actually before the World Cup (in February) at quite a length about the Australian team.

“Unfortunately we didn’t get to play them at the World Cup but still got a lot of information from that conversation. He was really open with me about how to play against the Australians, their strengths and them as people.

“Obviously I have my own insight now in terms of the WPL experience. Alyssa (Healy) was the captain of UP Warriorz – where I was coaching – and Tahlia McGrath and Grace Harris were there as well, so I have a good insight into how they go about their business.

“Matthew was really helpful and shared some good information.”

Lewis selected a 15-player group for next week’s Test starting at Trent Bridge on Monday, with uncapped Western Storm duo Lauren Filer and Danielle Gibson included.

England have not won the multi-format series since 2014 with Australia winning the past two series by a 12-4 score, but Lewis has belief in his youthful squad.

An aggressive style of cricket has been adopted since Lewis took over in November and it will be replicated again this summer in front of record crowds with more than 11,000 spectators set to attend England’s first five-day game on home soil, and their return to Trent Bridge after 23 years.

“We will have to play our best cricket. We are very aware of the quality of the Australian side, we are very aware they are a formidable opponent and we are really keen to try and disrupt the flow of their game by playing the game the way we want to play it,” Lewis explained.

“If we can dictate the play more often than not, I think we have our best chance of beating the Australians but we’re incredibly aware of the challenge that lies ahead of us because they’ve been a very dominant team for a long period of time.

“I am really pleased with where the players are at with the preparation time we’ve had. I think they are in a really good head space, they are really clear about how we want to play and they are ready for the challenge ahead.”

Before the series opener on June 22, England face Australia A in a three-day warm-up fixture at Derbyshire on Thursday while England A take on Australia in Leicestershire, which will act as vital preparation considering the lack of red-ball opportunities in the women’s game.

Lewis admitted his final XI for next week’s Test is not decided and placed importance on this week’s warm-up fixtures.

Squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Danielle Gibson, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Issy Wong, Danielle Wyatt.