Heather Knight says England must take hope from their miraculous comeback in 2023 as they try to keep the Women's Ashes alive with victory in the T20 opener in Sydney on Monday.
England go into the game 6-0 down in the table after Australia wrapped up the ODIs with an 86-run win in Hobart on Friday. The hosts now need just two more points to retain the Ashes.
But captain Knight did not lose hope and highlighted her side's comeback from a similar deficit two years ago to eventually level the series at 8-8.
“What we learned from the 2023 Ashes series when we were in the same position is to be really focused on what we have to do in the moment,” Knight said.
“No doubt it will be difficult but we will try to give our best in the T20 and I think the change of format will suit us well.”
England slumped to an 86-run defeat as Australia completed a whitewash in the third ODI in Hobart
All-rounder Freya Kemp, spinner Linsey Smith and wicketkeeper Bess Heath will join the squad for the T20 run as England look to reassert their dominance of the shorter format after a disappointing 2024 World Cup.
“I think that's our real strength,” Knight added. “It's a format that the girls really like to play and it suits a lot of the characters in the group because it's fast and exciting.
“I think the mental side will suit us as well, we can draw a line under the one-day series and go out and play on a beautiful cricket ground and hopefully put in a really strong performance.”
Will the T20 format help England improve?
England captain Heather Knight vowed to fight to the last
With the ODI leg of the multi-format series now over, the switch to T20s should favor England.
The format is arguably England's strongest, with Knight's side winning seven of their eight T20s ahead of The Ashes, including a 3-0 T20 on their recent tour of South Africa.
“I think the format change is really good for us. T20 is one of our best formats and I think that bit of a reset will help us,” Knight said.
“T20 is a format that a lot of girls like to play and I hope the change will do us a lot of good.”
With the new format comes new faces as England's T20 team takes the baton from their ODI counterparts for Monday's crucial clash in Sydney.
“I think the change of format will lift the mood and relax everyone,” said Nat Sciver-Brunt. “There are new recruits who will bring us energy, we are looking forward to returning to Sydney.”
However, Australia currently top the rankings for the best T20 team in the world, with England in second place.
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: Thursday 16 January – Ninja Stadium, Hobart – Australia won by 86 runs
- 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