England captain Heather Knight believes the pressure is now on Australia as they head into the one-day international (ODI) matches in the Women’s Ashes. After a slow start, England fought back and won the T20 series 2-1, reducing Australia’s lead to just two points in the multi-format series.
Knight acknowledged that England were the underdogs when they had to win five consecutive games to have a chance at winning the Ashes. However, now that they have closed the gap, the pressure is on Australia to win just one game to retain the Ashes. Knight expressed her confidence in her team and their ability to disrupt Australia’s game plan.
England are boosted by the return of Test stars Tammy Beaumont and Lauren Filer. Beaumont, who became England’s first Test double centurion, is expected to make a significant impact. Filer, known as the fastest female bowler in the country, is seen as a disruptive force in the middle overs.
Knight emphasized that England sees themselves as the disrupters in the series and will continue to do things differently to beat Australia. The team believes they can match the world’s number one women’s side and will aim to put pressure on Australia and bring their best cricket.
The recent success of the men’s team, who won the third Test at Headingley, has created a feel-good factor in English cricket. Knight hopes to tap into this momentum during the remaining ODI matches, which have all sold out. She believes that if both the men’s and women’s teams continue to perform well, they can both have a successful Ashes campaign.
On the other hand, Australia all-rounder Tahlia McGrath remains confident despite the successive defeats. She acknowledged that Australia has not played the cricket they would have liked, but they are still confident in their ability to win the Ashes. McGrath emphasized that their goal is not just to retain the Ashes with an 8-8 draw but to win every game of cricket and secure an outright victory.
With the series finely poised, the upcoming ODI matches will be crucial in determining the outcome of the Women’s Ashes. Both teams are determined to come out on top and secure the coveted Ashes title. The pressure is on Australia to perform, while England aims to continue their disruptive approach and upset the world’s number one team.
The first ODI will take place in Bristol, followed by matches in Southampton and Taunton. As the series heads towards its conclusion, fans can expect thrilling and fiercely competitive cricket from two top-quality teams.
Overall, England’s comeback in the T20 series has set the stage for an enthralling ODI battle. The pressure is on Australia, but the outcome is far from certain. Fans eagerly await the upcoming matches to see who will emerge victorious in the Women’s Ashes.
