Aussie superstar Alyssa Healy slams England’s ‘ironic’ sledging ahead of women’s Ashes

Alyssa Healy has cranked up the pressure on England ahead of the women’s Ashes, daring them to follow up their bold claims with actions. 

The Aussies will look to retain the Ashes for the fifth consecutive series later this month, but two England stars warned the tourists they won’t have it all their own way. 

All-rounder Emma Lamb said last month Australia were not perfect and that ‘it is within our reach to beat them’, while fast bowler Issy Wong suggested it was a great time to play their old foes.

Between them, Lamb and Wong have played just once against Australia and Healy said she was not concerned by the England duo’s verbal salvo.

‘They made some bold statements coming out here in that last Ashes series and didn’t really follow through on any of it,’ she told Code Sports.

Alyssa Healy has dared England to follow up their bold claims on the field 

‘So we’ll let them speak and do all the talking. It’s probably ironic that those two players haven’t played a lot for England.’

Healy, however, acknowledged the war of words between the teams only added to the excitement ahead of a much-anticipated series.

‘But at the same time, that’s the beauty of the game,’ she said.

‘There is a lot of unknown about the English side […] that’s where the challenge is going to be for us.

‘It’s exciting. I think write us off at your own peril, especially if they’re already talking about that, it’s a dangerous way to think.’

Australia are the reigning world champions in ODI and T20 cricket, they currently hold the Ashes and are the reigning Commonwealth champions.

Their continued success makes them a prized scalp in world cricket and Healy, who will replace Meg Lanning as Australia’s captain after the latter pulled out of the series, admitted the pressure will be entirely on them ahead of the Ashes.

‘We know that everybody wants to beat us,’ she said.

England all-rounder Emma Lamb (left) and bowler Issy Wong (right) have bullishly claimed the hosts will relish playing Australia in the upcoming series

Australia have won the last four Ashes series and aim to defend the trophy this month

‘It probably is really frustrating that we keep winning all the time, but we love it.

‘We don’t want to be the team that loses or hands the Ashes back or lets a World Cup slip. We know what that feels like.

‘We’re happy being the hunted.’

The women’s Ashes start with a one-off Test at Trent Bridge on June 22, followed by three T20s and three ODIs.