The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today released the schedule for the 2015 Women's Ashes Series with the final game of the Series, a NatWest International T20 on August Bank Holiday Monday forming part of a double header at the SWALEC Stadium with the England v Australia mens IT20 being played immediately after the women's fixture.
The 2015 Series will be the third time that the Women's Ashes have been contested across all three formats of the game - one Test match, three One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals - and following a review of the first two encounters by the ECB and Cricket Australia, the number of points awarded for winning the Test match will be reduced from six to four. Two points will still be awarded to each side in the event of a drawn Test, and the ODIs and T20Is will still be worth two points each for a win
Next summer's Women's Ashes Series will get underway on July 21 with the first Royal London ODI at the County Ground in Taunton. The players will then make the short journey across the Somerset-Gloucestershire border for the second Royal London ODI at the Bristol County Ground on July 23, before the third and final 50-over match is played at Worcestershire's New Road on July 26.
In addition to six Women's Ashes points being up for grabs, the three Royal London ODIs will carry additional significance for both teams, as they will comprise England and Australia's third round of fixtures in the new ICC Women's Championship.
Following the Royal London ODIs, Kent and England women's captain, Charlotte Edwards, will get the opportunity to lead England in front of a home crowd during an extended 164
th Canterbury Cricket Week, when Kent CCC's Spitfire Ground hosts the single Women's Ashes Kia Test match from Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 August.
The Essex County Ground, the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground and the SWALEC Stadium will stage the three Women's Ashes NatWest T20Is on August 26, 28 and 31 with tickets going on general public sale for the double header contest in Cardiff on Monday 24th November priced from £30 for adults and £10 for juniors.
England women's captain, Charlotte Edwards, said: The multi-format nature of the Women's Ashes means that every match and every point matters, so when we line up against Australia for the final NatWest T20I of the Series at the SWALEC Stadium on August 31, it could be an all or nothing situation - which is hugely exciting! It's always brilliant to play in the double-header T20Is with the men, and with this being a double-dose of Anglo-Australian rivalry, as England men also take on Australia immediately after our match, I'm sure that Cardiff will be boasting a very lively atmosphere all day on August 31!
ECB's Head of England Women's Cricket, Clare Connor, said: It has already been a remarkable year of firsts for England women's cricket - the first crop of 18 players to receive professional contracts, alongside a first standalone commercial sponsorship deal with Kia. We are now delighted to report that Sky Sports will provide live coverage of every ball of the multi-format Women's Ashes next year and in so doing, will cover a women's Test match for the very first time.
Sky Sports and BBC Radio will live broadcast all seven Women's Ashes matches next summer. By providing live coverage of every ball of the Series, Sky Sports will cover a women's Test match for the very first time
Bryan Henderson, Executive Producer of Sky Sports Cricket, added: Sky Sports has supported women's cricket for over 18 years, and we look forward to taking our coverage to the next level as we show a women's Test match for the first time. Our viewers will be able to enjoy every ball and every minute of action as England women compete to retain the Ashes next summer.
We have a strong and successful partnership with the ECB and are proud to have played our small part in the growth of the women's game over the last two decades.
England will be hoping to emulate their performances from the first two multi-format Women's Ashes contests, having won twelve points to four on home soil in 2013 and ten points to eight Down Under at the start of this year.
Full Schedule Women's Ashes Series 2015:
| Date |
Format |
Venue |
Points for a win |
Points for a draw |
| July 21 |
Royal London ODI* |
The County Ground, Taunton |
2 points |
1 point |
| July 23 |
Royal London ODI* |
Bristol County Ground |
2 points |
1 point |
| July 26 |
Royal London ODI* |
New Road, Worcester |
2 points |
1 point |
August
11 - 14 |
Kia Women's Test |
The Spitfire Ground, Canterbury |
4 points |
2 points |
| August 26 |
NatWest T20I# |
The Essex County Ground, Chelmsford |
2 points |
N/A |
| August 28 |
NatWest T20I# |
The BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground, Hove |
2 points |
N/A |
| August 31 |
NatWest T20I+# |
SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff |
2 points |
N/A |
*ICC Women's Championship fixture
#In the event of a draw in the NatWest T20I matches, a super over will be played
+Double-header with men's NatWest T20I (England v Australia)
Tickets for the Cardiff double header will be available to purchase from Monday 24th November from the Glamorgan Cricket Ticket Office 02920 419 311 or purchase online at
www.glamorgancricket.com.