The women’s Ashes is underway, with the multi-format series beginning with a Test between the sides at Trent Bridge.

And while the second Test in the men’s Ashes doesn’t start until Wednesday, June 28, there’s been no let-up in the discourse that has surrounded England’s new approach under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum and the war of words between Ollie Robinson and the entirety of the Australian public.

Beaumont equals Gayle

The highlight of day two at Trent Bridge, with apologies to Sophie Ecclestone and Annabel Sutherland, was Tammy Beaumont’s maiden Test century. With the long-awaited three-figure score, she joined an exclusive club of players with centuries in each of the international formats, a 25-strong group that includes Chris Gayle, Jos Buttler and Virat Kohli. England captain Heather Knight is the only other woman in the club. On day three, Beaumont then became England Women’s first Test double centurion. Batted.

The bees take Trent Bridge

Beaumont was batting like royalty, but there was only one queen in Trent Bridge, with a hive of bees taking up residence in the nets outside the playing area. A beekeeper was called, and no one was stung. That’s the buzz, at least.

Rehan Ahmed celebrates Test call-up with a blitz

Rehan Ahmed was called up to the England squad for the Lord’s Test yesterday, as cover for Moeen Ali who injured his finger at Edgbaston. He had a T20 Blast game to play that evening, and showed that Bazball wouldn’t affect his short-format game, smashing three sixes in an over even as Leicestershire tasted defeat.

The King does not miss

There was also a bit of air-time for a heartwarming piece of Shane Warne content. The legendary leg-spinner, who passed away in 2022, was always full of encouragement for any budding young wristie, and Rehan was no exception. Warne caught him young, giving him some tips back in 2017 when Rehan was just 13 years old, and telling him he could be playing first-class cricket in two years’ time. While that didn’t quite come to pass (it took Rehan until last year to make his Leicestershire bow), he could become the youngest cricketer in men’s Ashes history if picked at Lord’s. Bowled, Shane.

Red for Ruth gets underway

Day two of the second men’s Ashes Test will see Lord’s turn Red for Ruth, as is now tradition. The build-up began on day three at Trent Bridge, with bucket hats and blazers galore. Here’s what you need to know.

Robinson rumbles on

There has been a quietening down of any and every Aussie ex-pro taking aim at England’s Ollie Robinson, following his send-off to Usman Khawaja in the first Ashes Test. However, a viral clip of Virat Kohli sending a few choice missives Robinson’s way ensured the fracas has kept going. The odds are long on Pat Cummins and Co. taking up Kohli’s lead, but it would be fun if they did.

I want to see Aussies do this to Ollie Robinson in the next test pic.twitter.com/Nskmp5dzBz

— Mambattiyan (@_Blindinho_) June 23, 2023