
England seamer Kate Cross has been ruled out of the much-anticipated Women’s Ashes Test starting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday. This is a significant blow for the England team, who are facing an uphill battle in the multi-format Ashes series against Australia. Cross, 33, has struggled with a persistent back injury that has kept her sidelined from action for much of the tour. Despite being close to full fitness, she has not yet regained the pace and performance levels that the team expects from her. England captain Heather Knight confirmed that Cross would not be part of the squad for the one-off Test match.
The absence of Cross is a major setback for England, as she is one of the most experienced seamers in the squad. Kate Cross’ leadership and skill have been vital to England’s bowling attack, and her experience in Test cricket will be sorely missed. This article takes a closer look at Kate Cross’ injury, its impact on the England team, and the challenges ahead for England in the Women’s Ashes series.
Kate Cross‘ Injury and Impact on England’s Ashes Plans
Kate Cross’ injury has caused significant disruption to England’s plans for the Women’s Ashes Test. The seamer initially suffered the back injury during England’s series against South Africa in December. Despite her recovery efforts, Cross has not been able to return to full fitness in time for the Melbourne Test. The decision to rule her out is a precautionary measure to ensure she does not worsen the injury, which would further hinder her future performances.
Cross has not featured in the T20 series but was initially expected to be part of the squad for the Test match. However, Knight confirmed that, although Cross was close to being fully fit, she had not yet regained her previous pace and form. “Kate is pretty much close to full fitness now, but just not quite at the pace and the performance that we know she can reach at her best,” Knight said to BBC Sport.
The impact of Cross’ absence is significant, as she is one of the key figures in the England bowling attack. Her ability to provide a steady presence in the seam department would have been crucial in the Melbourne Test. Unfortunately, England will have to look elsewhere to fill her shoes.
England’s Changing Bowling Attack
With Kate Cross unavailable for the Women’s Ashes Test, England’s bowling attack will look a little different. Knight has confirmed that England will play an extra batter in the form of Sophia Dunkley, but the composition of the seam attack is still to be finalized. The likely seam options for England are Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer, and all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt, who will form the core of the attack.
Lauren Bell and Lauren Filer are both talented young seamers who will have to step up to fill the void left by Cross. Although they lack the experience that Cross brings, they have shown promise in their previous outings for England. It will be crucial for these two players to perform well under the pressure of an Ashes Test, as the match is a vital opportunity for England to make a statement and recover some pride after a disappointing tour so far.
Nat Sciver-Brunt, the vice-captain of the team, is an all-rounder who brings both batting and bowling strength to the squad. Her ability to contribute in both departments will be invaluable for England, especially in the absence of one of their senior bowlers. Sciver-Brunt’s experience in the middle overs and her leadership qualities make her a vital player in this situation.
England Struggles on Tour and Their Fight to Avoid a Whitewash

The England women’s team has endured a tough tour of Australia so far, having lost all six white-ball matches on the tour to date. With the Ashes series now reaching its final stages, England finds itself fighting to avoid a 16-0 whitewash – a result that would mark an unprecedented clean sweep in the multi-format series.
This has been a frustrating time for the players and coaching staff alike, with several key moments not going in their favor. The team’s struggles have been compounded by injuries, inconsistent performances, and the pressure of facing one of the strongest sides in world cricket. England’s batting and bowling have both come under scrutiny, and despite a lot of hard work and dedication, they have been unable to find the right formula for success.
Heather Knight, who has led England since 2016, acknowledged the disappointment surrounding the team’s performances. “There’s a lot of hurt and disappointment around how this tour has gone,” Knight admitted. “We haven’t shown what we are capable of as a team, but we want to do that this week and show our character to the fans that are here and watching back home.” England’s players will need to dig deep and produce their best cricket in the Melbourne Test if they hope to salvage some pride from this series.
England’s Leadership and Captaincy Situation
Amidst the team’s struggles, questions have been raised about the future of England’s leadership. Heather Knight has been the captain of the England women’s cricket team since 2016, taking over the role after the retirement of Charlotte Edwards. While Knight’s leadership has brought England numerous successes, including the 2017 Women’s World Cup victory, the pressure of leading a team through a challenging tour has been immense.
Knight has not been drawn into speculation about her future as captain. “I’m just concentrating on this week,” Knight said, focusing on the immediate challenge ahead. “There’s been a lot of frustration around this tour that we haven’t performed how we want to, and you always take that on your shoulders as the leader because you’re at the helm of it all. This week is a chance for us to show our best cricket.”
While Knight’s future remains uncertain, vice-captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has indicated that she would be open to taking on the captaincy if the opportunity arises. However, no definitive timeline has been given for any leadership change. England is not scheduled to play again until May after the conclusion of the Ashes series, so the team’s leadership structure may be reassessed during the off-season.
Speculation Around the Future of Head Coach Jon Lewis
Another area of uncertainty for England is the future of head coach Jon Lewis. Lewis has made headlines in the Australian media for his comments about the “climate benefits” contributing to the Australian team’s superior athleticism. His remarks have sparked some controversy, adding to the pressure surrounding the England team’s performance. Whether Lewis will remain in his role after the Ashes series remains to be seen.
What’s at Stake for England in the Melbourne Test

The Women’s Ashes Test is a crucial match for England as they look to salvage something from a disappointing tour. A win in the Test is worth four points, and a draw would earn each team two points. England is eager to avoid another defeat and show that they can compete at the highest level despite the setbacks they have faced.
Even though England has already lost the white-ball series, a strong performance in the Test could provide a much-needed confidence boost for the squad. Moreover, a positive result in the Ashes Test would help lift the spirits of the players and the fans back home, providing a sense of pride after a challenging few weeks in Australia.
Conclusion: England’s Determination to Bounce Back
The loss of Kate Cross for the Women’s Ashes Test is a major blow to England’s chances, but the team must now focus on coming together and making the most of the players available. The inclusion of Sophia Dunkley as an extra batter and the bowling attack of Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer, and Nat Sciver-Brunt will be pivotal to England’s performance in the Test.
With leadership from Heather Knight and the desire to make a statement, England has the opportunity to bounce back from a difficult tour and show the world what they are capable of. Whether they can achieve a positive result and avoid a whitewash remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain: England will fight until the very end to restore their pride and prove their worth on the international stage.