Key events
As expected, the legspinner Georgia Wareham replaces Darcie Brown in the Australia XI. England are unchanged; Heather Knight says Kate Cross was “pretty close” to playing.
Australia Litchfield, Healy (c/wk), Perry, Mooney, Sutherland, Gardner, McGrath, King, Garth, Wareham, Schutt.
England Beaumont, Bouchier, Knight (c), Sciver-Brunt, Wyatt-Hodge, Jones (wk), Capsey, Dean, Ecclestone, Filer, Bell.
“The wicket looks a little bit dry and could get hard later on,” says Alyssa Healy. It’s a used pitch and England would also have batted first; it feels like a really good toss to win.
England, who were undone by spin in Melbourne, may have even more to deal with today. The Hobart pitch is drier than expected and Australia may recall Georgia Wareham in place of Darcie Brown. England’s Kate Cross will have a fitness test this morning; if she passes it you’d expect her to replace Lauren Filer.
The deciding game of a series isn’t always the decisive one. Australia can’t officially retain the Ashes tonight, but realistically it will be a done deal if they win the third ODI in Hobart. A series that has been criticised for being too compressed is in danger of becoming an anticlimactic waste of time.
Australia’s thrilling comeback at Melbourne has left England not only 4-0 down in the multi-format series but also dealing with the scars of a botched run-chase. They simply have to win today.
The match starts at 10.05am AET, 11.05pm GMT.
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