The upcoming Test match in the 2025 Women’s Ashes series is set to add a dazzling twist: it will be a day-night spectacle at none other than the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, boasting a staggering capacity of 100,000 passionate fans.
This Test match marks a return to the traditional four-day format after the experiment with a five-day affair during the 2023 series in England. What makes this clash even more intriguing is that it will be the grand finale of the multi-format series, a format introduced back in 2015 but now bidding adieu with a flourish.
Reflecting on this momentous occasion, Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry expressed her excitement, calling it an “amazing opportunity” for the team to grace such a renowned cricketing venue amidst the intense atmosphere of an Ashes showdown. Perry also highlighted the broader significance of such events, noting the evolving landscape of women’s cricket and sports globally.
While Perry leans towards the allure of a five-day Test, citing the common occurrence of drawn outcomes in four-day matches, she acknowledges the ongoing debate surrounding the optimal duration for Test cricket, a topic likely to spark discussions long after the final ball is bowled.
The multi-format Ashes spectacle doesn’t stop with the Test; it includes a thrilling lineup of three one-day internationals and three T20 matches, each contributing to the intense battle for supremacy. With the Test carrying a weighty four-point value, every game becomes a crucial chapter in this gripping saga.
The series kicks off with the ODIs on 12 January, paving the way for the exhilarating T20 clashes starting on 20 January. The stage is set for a fierce contest as Australia aims to replicate their Test success from 2023, while England seeks redemption after conceding both white-ball series in the previous encounter.
For England, the memory of their last Women’s Ashes triumph in 2014 serves as motivation, a distant but cherished victory that they aspire to relive on Australian soil. As the countdown begins, anticipation builds for an unforgettable chapter in the storied rivalry of women’s cricket.
Women’s Ashes schedule 2025
ODI series
12 January, Sydney
14 January, Melbourne
17 January, Hobart
T20 series
20 January, Sydney
23 January, Canberra
25 January, Adelaide
Test match
30 January, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
