England captain Heather Knight says having a “point to prove” might be the issue that helps the Three Lions bounce again from a string of losses and keep away from a complete Ashes whitewash.
Beginning on Thursday, Australia and England will face off in a closing Check match on the MCG.
The vacationers strategy the primary ever floodlit Check on the historic venue dealing with the opportunity of a 16-0 whitewash, having misplaced each white-ball legs 3-0.
“Everyone’s really disappointed with how we’ve performed so far,” Knight stated on Wednesday.
“We really feel like we have not performed our greatest cricket in any respect as a aspect.
“As a frontrunner, you form of really feel accountable a bit bit that issues have not gone their finest.
“I’m probably someone that is at my best when I’ve got a bit of a point to prove and I certainly do have that this week.”
The gulf between the groups seems as massive as ever, with no signal of England regaining the Ashes for the primary time since 2014.
Knight added that seamer Kate Cross, who suffered a again damage in opposition to South Africa in December, was not able to return for the one-off Check.
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Stress on Knight and Lewis?
One other shot at profitable the Ashes has slipped by and can certainly result in questions concerning the futures of Knight and coach Jon Lewis.
England are trophyless in large tournaments because the 50-over World Cup in 2017 and Lewis’ Jonball strategy – a give attention to aggression that he realized from working with Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes within the early knockings of Bazball – has introduced entertaining cricket however no silverware, which is what he was appointed to ship.
Knight and under-fire England Ladies head coach Jon Lewis
Knight has been captain since 2016 so might really feel the time is true handy over the reins and give attention to batting, but with no apparent successor – her costs crumbling in opposition to West Indies confirmed a scarcity of management from elsewhere – and the carrot of a T20 World Cup on dwelling turf in 2026, she might be tempted to hold on.
She has the backing of her gamers – Dunkley, if somewhat predictably, says the group are “100 per cent” behind Knight – however one thing might have to alter for England to interrupt out of this big-game trough, whether or not that’s captain, coach or taking part in personnel.
Australia could also be too sturdy however England must be stronger.
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