England's hopes of reclaiming the Women's Ashes are already on the verge of reaching a critical stage.
Tuesday's 21-run defeat in Melbourne went down as a missed opportunity as Heather Knight's side failed in their pursuit of 181 to slump to back-to-back ODI defeats.
It saw Australia establish a 4-0 lead in the multi-format series, meaning England must win at least three of the remaining four white-ball clashes to retain any hope of winning The Ashes ahead of the Test match which ends with a series.
'Clumsy' England can't handle the pressure
This was England's moment to make a statement of intent, but when the chance to level the series opened up, the magnitude of what could have been achieved, as it often does against Australia, crippled the tourists.
England have been 'clumsy' on the field in the Women's Ashes so far
Brilliance with ball in hand – Sophie Ecclestone 4-35 and Alice Capsey 3-22 – was tempered by a flurry of bad moments in the field and yet, despite falling catches, England were still able to dismiss Australia for 180 and set up more – rather, he pursues a target for victory.
England recovered to 69-2 after the dismissals of openers Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier, but in a carbon copy of their defeat in the first ODI, a middle-order collapse rife with poor shot selection and misjudged running between the wickets saw them needlessly give away wickets per wicket.
“England were clumsy, they weren't very clever at cricket,” he said Sky Sports' Nasser Hussain. “They made some mistakes and if you're going to beat Australia, you can't afford to do that.”
Australia is simply stronger
England's latest bid to reclaim The Ashes for the first time since 2014 was to be different. Two games into the series, however, a familiar story unfolds.
Australian tennis player Alana King recorded figures of 4-25 from 10 overs in the second ODI
Knight's side already have a considerable mountain to climb under, with the first two ODIs serving as a reminder to former England captain Hussain that Australia remains a dominant force in women's cricket.
“Australia really looks stronger,” he said. “England came back last time in The Ashes (to draw 8-8 at home in 2023) but they have a mountain to climb away from home.
“Why do they look stronger? Well, they have been stronger in world cricket for a long time. I know they had a bad T20 World Cup in the UAE, but, overall, they look stronger.
“There's so much depth within the side. If you look at the midfield, which hasn't really fired and played at its best yet, they've got Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath.
“Outside the team you also have the young Georgia Voll who cannot enter. There is so much strength in depth in their team and their cricket.
England spinner Sophie Ecclestone took four wickets in the second ODI
“I always feel there's not that depth in England yet. If Nat Sciver-Brunt gets fired, if Sophie Ecclestone gets fired, they've got a good chance.”
Win or lose for England
With teams earning two points for winning white-ball matches, England have little room to manoeuvre.
As the seeds coming into the series, two more wins for Australia would see them move to eight points, enough to retain The Ashes regardless of what England do.
England's Lauren Bell in action during the Women's Ashes
Another win for Australia would leave England walking a tightrope for the remaining white-ball matches before they have a chance to compete for the four points on offer in the Test match.
The fast-paced nature of the 2025 Women's Ashes means England are approaching now-or-never territory, with wins the currency needed to keep their dreams alive.
'Last time there were six of us' – said Capsey defiantly
England fought back 6-0 in the Women's Ashes 2023 draw and it is that spirit that all-rounder Capsey wants to channel ahead of the third and final ODI in Hobart.
“We lost four, but last time we lost six,” Capsey said. “We still have a lot of time to regroup and improve.
Alice Capsey (centre) says England can fight back in the Women's Ashes
“This is not the best start to our campaign, but at the same time we have shown what we can do so far.
“It only took one partnership to put us over, but we couldn't do it.”
Women's Ashes 2025 Schedule
All UK and Ireland dates and times
- First ODI: Saturday 11th January – North Sydney Oval – Australia won by four wickets
- Other ODIs: Monday 13 January – Junction Oval, Melbourne – Australia won by 21 runs
- Third ODI: 23.05, Thursday 16 January – Ninja Stadium, Hobart
- First T20I: 8.40am, Monday 20 January – Sydney Cricket Ground
- Second T20I: 8.40am, Thursday 23 January – Manuka Oval, Canberra
- Third T20I: 8.10am, Saturday 25 January – Adelaide Oval
- Test: 3.30pm, Thursday 30 January – Sunday 2 February – MCG, Melbourne