England batter Lauren Winfield-Hill expects an exciting battle between England and Australia in this summer’s Women’s Ashes, with the opening match an historic five-day encounter at Trent Bridge beginning 22 June.
The 32-year-old wicketkeeper-batter believes the lengthened fixture should offer a more entertaining contest following six consecutive draws for England across a six year period.
“I think it will be a real red-hot contest because we've got to go toe-to-toe with them for another day.” Winfield-Hill said.
"It feels like just as it starts to get exciting, it's the end of day four and you shake hands at a draw. So I definitely think that extra day will create a result, which is exciting either way.
"We'll see a better opportunity to set up the game with more tactical input, whether that is batting or bowling first, because quite often with four days, it feels like you are setting something up but you never really get to see the fruits of that.”
The Yorkshire-born star, who has five Test appearances to her name, also backs the Three Lions to secure their first triumph in the format since January 2014 in Nottinghamshire.
“There’s certainly a belief we can win,” she said.
“Obviously Australia are favourites. But what we have is a lovely blend of senior players and youth.
“We have seen a lot more over the last couple of years that Australia have scars too. They can wobble, they can be fractured.
"It's just about us being able to match them for longer and being able to hold on to that pressure just a fraction longer.”
Australia have held the Ashes since 2015 and won the T20 Women's World Cup in February.
However, Winfield-Hill suggests the series could hinge upon a few key moments, and winning those will be the focus.
"I don't think there has been as much between the two teams as what the outcomes and the results often suggest,” she said.
"It's not the whole game that we need to change - it's just if we can just get on the right side of a couple of key moments.
“We've got to believe that we don't have to do anything different, or go way beyond anything we've done before.”
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