Captains Alyssa Healy (left) and Heather Knight pose for a picture ahead of the Women's Ashes Test in Melbourne.Photo: X/England Cricket Captains Alyssa Healy (left) and Heather Knight pose for a picture ahead of the Women's Ashes Test in Melbourne.Photo: X/England Cricket

Welcome to our live coverage of the one-off Test match between Australia and England in the Women's Ashes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday (January 30, 2025). This is the concluding rubber of the tourjilipark, after three ODIs and as many T20Is. (Streaming | More Cricket News)

The Aussies have swept all six games so far, running away with 3-0 series victories in the ODI as well as T20I legs. But the visitors would hope for better fortunes in the classic format, even as the Test assumes historic proportions.

This will be the first women's Test in 76 years at the MCG, and the first-ever pink-ball (day-night) Test at the venue. Further, it bears the possibility of the hosts completing a never-seen-before 16-points-to-nil whitewash.

Follow the live cricket scores and ball-by-ball commentary from the AUS-W vs ENG-W Test, right here.

At tea break on Day 1, Australia are firmly in control, with England at 64/3 after 26 overs. It’s been a challenging session for the English batters. Kim Garth made an early impact, dismissing Bouchier with a beautiful outswinger in the first over. Darcie Brown followed up, sending Beaumont back with an inswinger.

The Harmanpreet Singh-led side scored its first goal just in the second minute of the match via Sukhjeet Singh. This was in fact the first significant chance created in the match by any side.

Both teams started off strong, looking to break each others' back line in the first quarter but no team were able to breach the barrier.

England briefly found some rhythm with Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight, but just before the drinks break, Garth struck again, removing Knight. Since then, England have steadied, but they’re playing at a slow pace, leaving plenty of balls outside off-stump.

Australia have kept up the pressure, giving the English no room to breathe. The second session is approaching – will England dig in, or will Australia tighten the grip?

Australia Women have won the toss and opted to bowl first.

England Women (Playing XI): Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Heather Knight(c), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophia Dunkley, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones(w)jilipark, Sophie Ecclestone, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell

Australia Women (Playing XI): Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy(c), Annabel Sutherland, Beth Mooney(w), Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Alana King, Kim Garth, Darcie Brown

Australia Women: Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Alyssa Healy(w/c), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown, Georgia Voll, Kim Garth

England Women: Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Heather Knight(c), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones(w), Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Ryana Macdonald Gay, Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell, Bess Heath, Sophia Dunkley