Men’s and Women’s National Teams retain Ashes

The Australian Men’s Team retained the Ashes, after a rain-affected draw in the Fourth Test which concluded on Sunday.

Australia currently lead the five-match series 2-1, after posting back-to-back wins in the opening two Tests, before England fought back with a dramatic three-wicket victory in the third test at Headingley.

The Fifth and final test begins on Thursday July 27, with Australia having the opportunity to win their first series victory in England since 2001.

Meanwhile, The Australian’s Women Team continued their dominance over the old enemy, after they retained the Ashes for a fifth straight time despite the multi-format series finishing in a draw.

It was a hard-fought series, with Australia securing a dominant victory on the final day of the Test, before England showed their class in the white-ball formats, winning both the T20I and ODI series 2-1.

There were a number of WA players who have been at the centre of the action during both series, here's how they fared.

Mitchell Marsh

The powerful allrounder found his way back into the Australian Test team for the first time since September 2019, when fellow WA allrounder Cameron Green was ruled out of the Third test due to injury.

He immediately stamped his authority on the series, striking a run-a-ball 118 to guide Australia from the precarious position of 4-85 to a very competitive first innings total of 263.

It was Marsh’s third Test century, which have all come against England, and his first outside Australia.

Marsh was also able to contribute with the ball, taking the wicket of English opener Zak Crawley in both innings, showing what he can do with the Dukes ball in favourable bowling conditions. 

Marsh continued his good form into the Fourth Test, posting valuable contributions of 51 and 31* as his side managed to salvage a draw, with rain wreaking havoc over the final two days.

Although the Australians haven’t won a Test since Marsh regained his place back in the side, his form with the bat has been a welcome sight for a batting group that at times has struggled against a skilful English attack.

Let’s hope there is more of Marsh at his brutal best in the Fifth Test at the Oval.

Matches: 2 Innings: 4 Runs: 228 HS:118 Ave: 76.00 100s:1 50s: 1

Wickets: 2 Ave: 44.50

Cameron Green

A first away Ashes tour was always going to present a challenge for Green, especially for a player who is still relatively young in his Test career.

It has been a stop-start series for the 24-year-old, with the allrounder missing the Third Test due to a minor hamstring injury.

Green was able to get ‘starts’ in both innings in the opening Test in Birmingham, producing scores of 38 and 28 as Australia scraped home to a two-wicket win.

While he hasn't been at his best, he remains an integral part of the Test team. His role as the fourth seam bowler enables Australia to name a balanced side and gives the main quick bowlers a much-needed break.

He has played an important role with the ball, with his ability to bowl short-pitched spells at the English lower order allowing him to take five wickets in three Tests.

The runs might not have come for Green so far in this series, but the English team will be on high alert heading into the Fifth Test, knowing that Green has the temperament and talent to produce a match-winning performance at the Oval.

Matches: 3 Innings: 6 Runs: 103 HS: 38 Ave: 20.60
Wickets: 5 Ave: 47.00

Beth Mooney

For avid watchers of Women’s cricket, they are aware of the talent that Mooney has to offer with the bat, in the field and as a wicketkeeper.

Her remarkable consistency has been a feature of her international career, and that trait was on full display as her team retained the Ashes yet again.

The multi-format series, which is made up of a Test match worth four points, three T20I and three ODIs worth two points apiece started with the very best of Beth Mooney.

Mooney opened the batting in the five-day contest alongside debutant Phoebe Litchfield, with the pair getting Australia off to bright starts in both innings, with partnerships of 35 and 99 respectively.

The left-hander was able to produce her highest Test score, compiling a typically classy knock of 85 which set up Australia’s crushing victory.

She was a reliable contributor across the shorter-format series, with her 61* in the first T20I in Birmingham leading her side to a thrilling final-over triumph.

Her 81* provided the backbone to Australia’s 8-263 off their 50 overs in the opening ODI, before England were able to chase down the total with 11 balls to spare.

Matches (all formats): 7 Innings: 8 Runs 363 HS: 85 Ave: 60.50 50s: 3

Alana King

The energetic leg-spinner has become a regular in the Australian team across all three formats in the last 18-24 months, and her performances have shown why she has been highly regarded by her teammates and the coaching staff.

While King’s skills with the ball is well known, she has worked hard at becoming a genuine allrounder, with her improved ability with the bat and quickness in the field making her a threat in all facets of the game.

King was picked for the first Test, and while not being at her brilliant best with the ball, still provided a valuable contribution with the bat to play her part in a dominant Australian performance.

She produced a fighting knock of 21 in the first innings, taking multiple hits on the body from the English fast bowlers, and allowing teammate Annabel Sutherland to complete her maiden international century at the other end.

The pair put on 47 valuable runs for the eighth wicket, as Australia tallied an imposing total of 473.

She played the role of ‘anchor’ with the bat in the second innings too, combining with skipper Alyssa Healy for a crucial ninth wicket stand of 59, which helped Australia set up an 89-run victory.

King wasn’t selected for the T20I series, with the Australians instead opting for the spin duo of Georgia Wareham and Jess Jonassen in the games shortest format. 

She returned to the team for the final two matches of the ODI series, with immediate effect. 

The 27-year-old was outstanding with the Ashes on the line, taking 3 crucial wickets in a Player-of-the-Match performance to lead Australia to a dramatic three-run victory.  

The most telling moment of her spell was the wicket the in-form Tammy Beaumont. The dynamic opener was well set on 60 and about to take the game away from Australia, before King managed to rip a leg-break past her defence and into the stumps.

She finished the limited-overs matches with four wickets from just two appearances, and while not being picked as much as she would have liked, her performances in the second ODI will go down as her one of her best in her international career to date.

A home summer awaits for King, with a Test on her home ground at the WACA against South Africa next February, high on her wish-list.