Australia dealt Ashes blow

Australia have had some bad news before their bid for the Ashes has even begun. Their keeper Jodie Purves has broken her thumb and will miss the entire series. Leonie Coleman, the New South Wales keeper, has been added to the squad to host the England series starting on Friday 1 February with a Twenty20 at the MCG.

Purves of Queensland broke her left thumb playing club cricket last weekend while fielding, hence the SOS to Coleman who heads into the five ODIs and Test match with ten one-day matches under her belt. She hasn't played for Australia for three years now, but has been a part of New South Wales' continuing dominance in the WNCL.

Australia will assemble in Melbourne next Monday, 28 January, to prepare. The match will be played as part of a double-header, with the clash to be followed by the men's Twenty20 international between Australia and India.

The series against England also comprises five one-day matches and a one-off Test at Bradman Oval in Bowral to commence a year of celebration marking the 100th anniversary of Sir Donald Bradman's birth.