Aussie superstar Alyssa Healy slams England’s ‘ironic’ sledging ahead of women’s Ashes
Aussie superstar Alyssa Healy denounces England’s ‘tongue-in-cheek’ women’s Ashes sledging: ‘They’ve made some bold statements…and have followed none of them’
Alyssa Healy has been ramping up the pressure on England ahead of the women’s Ashes, challenging them to follow up their bold claims with actions.
The Aussies will try to keep the Ashes for a fifth successive series later this month, but two England stars warned the tourists that they won’t have a full time.
All-rounder Emma Lamb said last month that Australia weren’t perfect and that ‘it’s within our reach to beat them’, while fast bowler Issy Wong suggested it was a good time to play against their old foes.
Together, Lamb and Wong have only played Australia once and Healy said she was not worried about the verbal volley from the England duo.
“They made some bold statements here in that last Ashes series and didn’t really follow through on any of it,” she said. Code sports.
Alyssa Healy has challenged England to follow up on their bold claims on the pitch
“So we let them talk and do all the talking. It’s probably ironic that those two players haven’t played much for England.’
However, Healy acknowledged that the battle of words between the teams only added to the excitement for a highly anticipated series.
“But at the same time, that’s the beauty of the game,” she said.
“A lot is unknown about the English side […] that will be the challenge for us.
‘It is exciting. I think you write us off at your peril, especially if they talk about it at all, that’s a dangerous way of thinking.’
Australia are the reigning world champions in ODI and T20 cricket, they currently hold the Ashes and are the reigning Commonwealth champions.
Their continued success has made them a prized scalp in world cricket and Healy, who will replace Meg Lanning as Australia’s captain after the latter retired from the series, admitted the pressure will be all on them ahead of the Ashes.
“We know everyone wants to beat us,” she said.
England all-rounder Emma Lamb (left) and bowler Issy Wong (right) have bullishly claimed the hosts will enjoy playing Australia in the upcoming series
Australia have won the last four Ashes series and are aiming to defend the trophy this month
“It’s probably very frustrating that we keep winning all the time, but we love it.
“We don’t want to be the team that loses or returns the Ashes or lets a World Cup slip. We know how that feels.
“We’re glad we’re being hunted.”
The women’s Ashes kick off on June 22 with a one-off test at Trent Bridge, followed by three T20s and three ODIs.