England captain Heather Knight says having a “point to prove” could be the factor that helps the Three Lions bounce back from a string of losses and avoid a total Ashes whitewash.
Starting on Thursday, Australia and England will face off in a final Test match at the MCG.
The tourists approach the first ever floodlit Test at the historic venue facing the possibility of a 16-0 whitewash, having lost both white-ball legs 3-0.
“Everyone’s really disappointed with how we’ve performed so far,” Knight said on Wednesday.
“We feel like we haven’t played our best cricket at all as a side.
“As a leader, you kind of feel responsible a little bit that things haven’t gone their best.
“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 teams appears as large as ever, with no sign of England regaining the Ashes for the first time since 2014.
Knight added that seamer Kate Cross, who suffered a back injury against South Africa in December, was not ready to return for the one-off Test.
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Pressure on Knight and Lewis?
Another shot at winning the Ashes has slipped by and will surely lead to questions about the futures of Knight and coach Jon Lewis.
England are trophyless in big tournaments since the 50-over World Cup in 2017 and Lewis’ Jonball approach – a focus on aggression that he learned from working with Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes in the early knockings of Bazball – has brought entertaining cricket but no silverware, which is what he was appointed to deliver.
Knight and under-fire England Women head coach Jon Lewis
Knight has been captain since 2016 so may feel the time is right to hand over the reins and focus on batting, yet with no obvious successor – her charges crumbling against West Indies showed a lack of leadership from elsewhere – and the carrot of a T20 World Cup on home turf in 2026, she could be tempted to carry on.
She has the backing of her players – Dunkley, if rather predictably, says the team are “100 per cent” behind Knight – but something may have to change for England to break out of this big-game trough, whether that is captain, coach or playing personnel.
Australia may be too strong but England need to be stronger.
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