How England can learn from Australia to launch unlikely Ashes fightback
Share:
Heather Knight’s side are 6-0 down after the hosts completed an ODI clean sweep, but now move to their strongest format with hope of mounting a comeback. The first game of an Ashes series has all those additional layers. Whether its extra media duties, singing the national anthem or the pre series photo with the trophy, the anticipation and build up is unavoidable for the players. When the England side took the field a week ago, seven matches lay ahead; seven opportunities to compete with Australia and win the Ashes.
![[Australia showed their ruthless edge in the ODI portion of the series]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/12/07/12-553a8bf8558143d8bd977a1a432afb2c.jpg)
England’s first outing was not the start they would have desired for their campaign, aiming to regain the Ashes after a barren decade. There were some positive signs from the camp at North Sydney Oval with Heather Knight and Danni Wyatt-Hodge getting some runs under their belt. Ending 204 all out however, was far from the competitive total they would have strived to set their rivals.
![[Australia’s superior batting depth has come to the fore with Ash Gardner slamming a superb maiden century]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/17/7/46/Ashleigh-Gardner.jpeg)
Lauren Bell put worries about the seam attack to bed with her economical bowling following the news that Kate Cross would be unable to play at least the first ODI as a result of the back spasm she suffered in South Africa in December. Yet, Alyssa Healy led from the front, scoring 70 and taking the game away. Ash Gardner’s 42* set the tone for the rest of the series and continued the form she rediscovered at the end of the year. The four-wicket defeat caused sighs from England fans but there were still two more chances – surely England would find a win?.
![[England fought back to secure a drawn series on home soil in 2023]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/10/10/1464a694d01a0ea4d307be01f9a7f5a8Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzM2NTkwMDky-2.73043711.jpg)
Junction Oval in Melbourne hosted the second ODI. With early nerves shaken off, it was England’s time to bounce back and go level with Australia. Of course, that is much easier said than done. England put Australia in to bat and between Sophie Ecclestone’s reliable spin and Heather Knight’s decision to bowl Alice Capsey, the visitors dismissed the Aussies for 180.
