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Posted: 2017-11-03 06:09:40

He'd love to see more women's Test matches but Australian coach Matthew Mott says their rare nature make the baggy green even more special.

Australia made a promising start to their women's Ashes warm-up match against an ACT Invitational XI in a day-night tour match at Manuka Oval on Friday.

The pink ball audition is Australia's final chance to prepare for a day-night Ashes Test against England with Mott yet to settle on his final XI ahead of the historic clash.

Christina Matthews has played the most Test matches for Australia's women's team with 20, while the all-time record is held by England's Jannette Brittin with 27.

Both are long retired and their records aren't immediately under threat despite cricket riding a wave of momentum for women's sport.

Their records pale in comparison to the likes of Indian great Sachin Tendulkar's 200 Tests, and the 168 games racked up by Australian legends Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh.

But Mott says the rarity of a women's Test match can transform the occasion into the pinnacle of one's career.

"Whilst we don't play a lot of it, it actually means it's a premium product," Mott said.

"Sometimes one-day games and Twenty20's blend in and there's a lot of good things that go unnoticed. But I can remember, and I know the players can remember just about everything that happened in the Test match at Canterbury.

"There's a lot to play for because the journey to get the baggy green is the ultimate prize. Whilst we don't play a lot of it, that actually makes it more special when you get that opportunity to be in that starting XI at North Sydney Oval.

"I'm sure there'll be a lot of people pinching themselves for the opportunity."

While Australia are aiming to knock over the ACT, England are playing against a Cricket Australia XI outfit in Blacktown.

The warm-up games are the only chance players will get to use the unpredictable pink ball before they play a day-night Test that could edge Australia closer to Ashes triumph at North Sydney Oval next week.

The series will finish with three Twenty20 games at North Sydney Oval on November 17 and Manuka Oval on November 19 and 21.

Meanwhile, ACT Meteors players Claire Koski and Maitlan Brown will join former skipper Kris Britt at the Melbourne Renegades for the Women's Big Bash League.

ASHES WARM-UP

Friday-Sunday: Australia v ACT invitational XI at Manuka Oval. Play starts at 2.30pm.

WOMEN'S ASHES

November 9-12: Australia v England, day-night Test at North Sydney Oval

November 17: Australia v England, Twenty20 international at North Sydney Oval

November 19: Australia v England, Twenty20 international at Manuka Oval

November 21: Australia v England, Twenty20 international at​ Manuka Oval

Australia squad: Rachael Haynes (C), Alex Blackwell (VC), Kristen Beams, Nicole Bolton, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.

England squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Laura Marsh, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor, Nat Sciver, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt.

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