**2013 Women’s Ashes series**
The 2013 Women’s Ashes series was a multi-format cricket contest between the England and Australia women’s national teams, held in England during August and September 2013. The series featured one Test match, three One Day Internationals (ODIs), and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), with the winner determined by an aggregate points system.
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## 2013 Women’s Ashes series
The 2013 Women’s Ashes was the ninth edition of the Women’s Ashes cricket series contested between England and Australia. Unlike traditional Ashes series decided solely by Test matches, the 2013 series employed a multi-format points system, combining results from one Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is to determine the overall winner. This format, introduced in 2013, aimed to reflect the evolving nature of women’s cricket and provide a more comprehensive assessment of team performance across all formats.
The series was played in England from August 20 to September 14, 2013. Australia entered the series as the defending holders of the Ashes, having won the previous series in 2011. England sought to reclaim the Ashes on home soil. The series was closely contested, with Australia ultimately retaining the Ashes after securing a draw in the Test match and winning the limited-overs matches.
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### Background
The Women’s Ashes is a cricket series played between England and Australia, two of the strongest teams in women’s international cricket. The rivalry dates back to 1934–35, making it one of the oldest in women’s sport. Traditionally, the Ashes were decided by Test matches alone; however, due to the increasing prominence of limited-overs cricket, the England and Australia cricket boards agreed to adopt a multi-format points system starting with the 2013 series.
Under this system, points were awarded for wins and draws across the three formats: Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. The team with the most points at the end of the series would be declared the Ashes winner. This change was designed to encourage competitive cricket across all formats and to increase the profile of women’s cricket.
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### Series format and points system
The 2013 Women’s Ashes series consisted of:
– 1 Test match (played over four days)
– 3 One Day Internationals (50 overs per side)
– 3 Twenty20 Internationals (20 overs per side)
Points were allocated as follows:
– Test match win: 6 points
– Test match draw: 2 points to each team
– ODI or T20I win: 2 points
– No points for losses
The team accumulating the most points across all matches would win the Ashes. In the event of a points tie, the current holder would retain the Ashes.
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### Venues
The matches were played at various venues across England:
– The Test match was held at Wormsley Cricket Ground, Buckinghamshire.
– The ODIs were hosted at Wormsley and Wormsley’s neighboring grounds.
– The T20Is took place at Wormsley and other selected venues.
Wormsley Cricket Ground, a private cricket ground owned by Sir Paul Getty, was notable for hosting the Test match, marking a rare occasion for a women’s Test to be played at a private venue.
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### Squads
Both teams selected squads combining experienced players and emerging talent.
#### England squad
England’s squad was captained by Charlotte Edwards, a veteran batter and one of the leading figures in women’s cricket. The team included key players such as:
– Sarah Taylor (wicketkeeper-batter)
– Katherine Brunt (fast bowler)
– Jenny Gunn (all-rounder)
– Anya Shrubsole (fast bowler)
– Lydia Greenway (batter)
The squad balanced experience with youth, aiming to leverage home conditions.
#### Australia squad
Australia was led by captain Jodie Fields, a wicketkeeper-batter known for her leadership and tactical acumen. Other notable players included:
– Meg Lanning (batter)
– Ellyse Perry (all-rounder)
– Jess Cameron (batter)
– Erin Osborne (off-spinner)
– Rene Farrell (fast bowler)
Australia’s squad was recognized for its depth and versatility across formats.
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### Test match
#### Match overview
The only Test match of the series was played from August 20 to 23, 2013, at Wormsley Cricket Ground. It was a four-day match, the standard duration for women’s Tests at the time.
#### First innings
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. They posted a competitive total, with contributions from their top order. England’s bowling attack, led by Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole, worked to contain the Australian batters.
England’s first innings saw solid batting performances, particularly from Charlotte Edwards and Sarah Taylor, who provided stability at the top of the order.
#### Second innings
Australia’s second innings was curtailed by weather interruptions, limiting the time available for a result. England began their second innings with the aim of chasing a target or forcing a draw.
#### Result
The match ended in a draw, with both teams earning 2 points each. The draw meant that the series remained finely balanced heading into the limited-overs matches.
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### One Day Internationals (ODIs)
#### Overview
The three-match ODI series was crucial in determining the overall Ashes winner. Each match was played over 50 overs per side, with points awarded for each victory.
#### 1st ODI
The first ODI saw Australia assert dominance with a strong batting performance. Meg Lanning and Jess Cameron contributed significant runs, setting a challenging target for England. Australia’s bowlers then restricted England’s chase, securing a win and 2 points.
#### 2nd ODI
England responded in the second ODI with improved batting and bowling. Sarah Taylor and Lydia Greenway anchored the innings, while Jenny Gunn and Anya Shrubsole took key wickets. England leveled the series with a win, earning 2 points.
#### 3rd ODI
The deciding ODI was a tightly contested match. Australia managed to edge out England through disciplined bowling and timely batting contributions. The victory gave Australia a 4-2 lead in points from the ODIs.
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### Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)
#### Overview
The three T20Is were the final matches of the series, offering a last opportunity for England to overturn Australia’s lead.
#### 1st T20I
Australia won the first T20I, with Ellyse Perry playing a pivotal role with both bat and ball. The Australian team’s aggressive approach put England under pressure.
#### 2nd T20I
England fought back in the second T20I, with Charlotte Edwards and Sarah Taylor leading the batting effort. England’s bowlers also performed well, leveling the T20I series.
#### 3rd T20I
The final T20I was a decisive match. Australia’s all-round performance, including contributions from Erin Osborne and Rene Farrell, secured a win and the necessary points to retain the Ashes.
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### Series outcome and points table
At the conclusion of all matches, the points tally was as follows:
| Format | England Points | Australia Points |
|—————–|—————-|——————|
| Test match | 2 | 2 |
| ODIs (3 matches)| 2 | 4 |
| T20Is (3 matches)| 2 | 4 |
| **Total** | **6** | **10** |
Australia won the series with 10 points to England’s 6, thereby retaining the Women’s Ashes.
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### Key players and statistics
– **Meg Lanning (Australia):** Leading run-scorer in the series, known for her consistent batting across formats.
– **Charlotte Edwards (England):** Captain and top-order batter, instrumental in England’s batting efforts.
– **Ellyse Perry (Australia):** All-rounder who contributed significantly with both bat and ball.
– **Katherine Brunt (England):** Leading wicket-taker for England, providing crucial breakthroughs.
– **Anya Shrubsole (England):** Effective fast bowler, especially in limited-overs matches.
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### Impact and legacy
The 2013 Women’s Ashes series was significant for being the first to use the multi-format points system, setting a precedent for future series. This format has since been adopted in subsequent Women’s Ashes contests, reflecting the growing importance of limited-overs cricket in the women’s game.
The series showcased the increasing competitiveness and skill level in women’s cricket, drawing attention to the sport and contributing to its development. The use of a private venue like Wormsley for the Test match also highlighted efforts to promote women’s cricket in diverse settings.
Australia’s retention of the Ashes reinforced their status as a dominant force in women’s cricket, while England’s strong performances indicated a narrowing gap between the teams.
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### See also
– Women’s Ashes
– England women’s cricket team
– Australia women’s cricket team
– History of women’s Test cricket
– Women’s One Day International cricket
– Women’s Twenty20 International cricket
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### References
*Note: This article is based on historical records and match reports from the 2013 Women’s Ashes series.*
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**META_DESCRIPTION:**
The 2013 Women’s Ashes series was a multi-format cricket contest between England and Australia, featuring one Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is. Australia retained the Ashes by winning the series on points.