The men’s bilateral test competition between Australia and England has been historically referred as The Ashes. The first ever women’s test cricket was played between England and Australia in 1934, which is also said to be the first ever edition of the women’s Ashes.
Up until the 2010-11 series, all matches were held in the test format. Moreover, a series would have a minimum of one and a maximum of five test matches. There was no fixed duration between two series. Out of the 45 test matches played between the two teams from 1934 to 2011, England won eight, Australia won eleven matches, whereas the rest of the 26 matches ended in a draw. The 45 test matches were played across 18 series, of which Australia won seven, England won four, and the rest ended in a draw.
In 2013, the women’s Ashes format went a change with the inclusion of One Day Internationals and T20 Internationals. The tournament was now scheduled to be held every two years. The winner of the women’s Ashes was now based on point system. A test match win is worth four points whereas two points are earned for winning a limited overs fixture.
The most successful batter in the women’s Ashes before 2011 was England’s Jan Brittin having scored 1024 runs. Australia’s Betty Wilson was the most successful bowler with 53 wickets to her name. Since the multi-format women’s Ashes, Australia’s Ellyse Perry is currently the leading run-scorer with 1761 runs. She is also the leading wicket-taker having taken 66 wickets as of 2024.
