England captain Heather Knight believes that having a “point to prove” could be the driving force for the Three Lions to bounce back and avoid a complete Ashes whitewash following a series of defeats.
Commencing on Thursday, Australia and England will compete in a final Test match at the MCG.
The visitors face the looming threat of a 16-0 whitewash, having lost both white-ball legs 3-0.
“We are all very disappointed with our performances so far,” Knight expressed on Wednesday.
“We feel like we haven’t showcased our best cricket as a team.”
“As a leader, there is a sense of responsibility when things haven’t gone well,” Knight added.
“I perform best when I have something to prove, and I certainly feel that way this week,” Knight emphasized.
The gap between the teams seems wider than ever, with no signs of England reclaiming the Ashes since 2014.
Knight also noted that seamer Kate Cross, who sustained a back injury against South Africa in December, is not fit to return for the solitary Test.
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Pressure on Knight and Lewis?
Another missed opportunity to win the Ashes raises questions about the futures of Knight and coach Jon Lewis.
England has not won any major tournaments since the 2017 World Cup, and Lewis’ coaching approach has yet to yield significant results.
Knight and under-fire England Women head coach Jon Lewis
Knight has led the team since 2016 and may consider passing on the captaincy to focus on her batting. However, with no clear successor in sight and the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2026, she might be tempted to continue.
While the team supports her, a change may be necessary for England to break free from their current struggles, whether that involves the captain, coach, or players.
Australia might be a formidable opponent, but England must rise to the occasion.
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