After England’s memorable World Cup win in 2017, it was Australia – after failing to make the final – who turned the screw, embarking on a journey of self-discovery that resulted in world dominance.
2023 feels like it should become England’s moment.
They have set the standard of playing women’s matches at Test venues that resulted in record attendances at Trent Bridge, and then in the T20s at Edgbaston, The Oval and Lord’s.
The one-day series which was the denouement to the multi-format contest was a sell-out.
Queues were bursting out onto the streets: schoolchildren provided the noise and cricket delivered the joy.
Having set such a remarkable precedent, it must become the norm and not the exception.
The success has been built upon the double Ashes marketing strategy that saw Ben Stokes and Heather Knight’s faces lit up on Tower Bridge before the series began, and the numbers in the stands proved the message well and truly cut through.
“The public have really got behind us and the crowds have been amazing,” said England captain Knight.
“I’m getting messages from people who haven’t really watched cricket before saying they are invested in it.
“It’s about capturing this momentum. It’s been a hugely successful series because it’s been marketed properly.
“People want to come and watch and hopefully, we can take those people and those young girls and boys onto the next series.”
Naturally, the on-pitch excitement helped too, with the narrative of England’s great escape after surprisingly levelling the series, of Australia buckling under pressure but pulling it off when it mattered the most.
Nat Sciver-Brunt’s heroics, Sophie Ecclestone’s world-class status and Alice Capsey’s fearless nature has helped to make them household names to many.
Honours even was probably the fairest way for it to end, leaving us eagerly anticipating the next reunion down under in 18 months’ time.