Agency :
Heather Knight says England will take confidence from “creating a few cracks” in the Australia team during a “rollercoaster” Test match as they head into the must-win One Day International (ODI) portion of the Women’s Ashes.
England trail Ashes holders Australia 6-4 on points after a gripping draw in last week’s red-ball game at Manuka Oval in Canberra, the same venue for Thursday’s first 50-over fixture (3.10am UK time).
Australia need just a solitary victory over the course of the three ODIs to regain the Ashes, with England requiring three wins, or two victories and a tie or no result, to claim the trophy.
England hung on for a draw in the Test after at one stage looking poised for victory – the tourists reached 218-3 in pursuit of 257 in 48 overs, only to then collapse to 244-9 and rely on No 11 Kate Cross seeing out 12 deliveries at the death.
Knight told reporters: “What a rollercoaster of a game. It felt like we were in a great position and then at the end it felt a little bit like a loss.
“The way we went at that chase was awesome – there was some real character from the girls to show we can do that and go at the Australians, something we talked about a lot before the series.
“It has shown we can fight back and that when we do go hard at them and put them under pressure we can really create a few cracks.
“It gives us real confidence, particularly as that second innings was very much like a one-day chase. All of the top five found a bit of nick.”
Lauren Winfield-Hill (33), Tammy Beaumont (36), Nat Sciver (58), Sophia Dunkley (45 off 32 balls) and Knight (48) all starred for England in their second innings – Knight doing so after hitting a sublime unbeaten 168 in the visitors’ first knock of 297 all out.
Knight said: “The knock that I had was really important for me and I feel in a good place. I am excited to get out there and hopefully contribute to the team, scoring runs and leading by example.”
