Jon Lewis is confident that his England squad is fully prepared to take on the formidable task of reclaiming the Women’s Ashes. To bolster their efforts, Lewis has sought assistance from an Australian source.

Lewis recently announced a 15-player squad for the upcoming Test match against Australia at Trent Bridge. The squad includes uncapped players Lauren Filer and Danielle Gibson from Western Storm, as well as Alice Capsey, a white-ball international who is yet to make her Test debut.

England has not emerged victorious in the multi-format Women’s Ashes since 2014. However, Lewis and his team have diligently gathered valuable insights from Matthew Mott, the coach of the current 50-over and T20 world champions, to enhance their strategic approach.

Matthew Mott, the current England men’s white-ball coach and a Queensland native, previously served as the head coach of the Australia Women’s team for seven years before stepping down last year.

Jon Lewis, the England women’s coach, acknowledged the valuable insights he gained from a lengthy conversation with Mott, particularly regarding the Australian team, before the World Cup earlier this year. Despite not facing them in the tournament, Lewis extracted valuable information about the Australian players’ strengths and their approach to the game. Lewis also gained additional insights from his coaching experience in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), where he had the opportunity to work with players like Alyssa Healy, Tahlia McGrath, and Grace Harris.

Lewis expressed confidence in his youthful squad, emphasizing their aggressive playing style, which has been embraced since his appointment in November. The upcoming summer promises record-breaking attendance, with over 11,000 spectators expected for the five-day Test match. Prior to the series opener on June 22, England will face Australia A in a three-day warm-up match at Derbyshire, providing crucial preparation in a format that women’s cricket has limited exposure to.

Lewis acknowledged the challenge posed by the formidable Australian team, highlighting the need for England to dictate the play and disrupt their opponents’ rhythm. He commended his players’ preparation and mindset, expressing belief in their ability to take on the Australian side. Lewis emphasized the significance of the Women’s Ashes in the context of a remarkable summer for women’s sports in England, urging fans, especially those in Nottingham, to attend and enjoy the entertaining cricket on display.

The final XI for the Test match has not been determined yet, and the upcoming warm-up fixtures hold importance in finalizing the selection. Danni Wyatt will feature for England A to enhance her chances of making her Test debut, while uncapped players Lauren Filer and Danielle Gibson will have the opportunity to impress against Australia A. Both Filer and Gibson have showcased their talent, with Gibson delivering two half-centuries in the Charlotte Edwards Cup and Filer claiming eight wickets in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy matches in 2023.

Lewis expressed his excitement about both players, praising Gibson’s dynamic style of play and Filer’s exceptional pace, which sets her apart as a bowler in the country.