England wicketkeeper Amy Jones says the team’s “best cricket is yet to come” as they prepare to salvage some pride from the remainder of the Women’s Ashes.
Australia retained the Ashes at the earliest opportunity with a thumping 57-run win in the first T20 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which handed them an unassailable 8-0 lead in the points-based series.
Each white-ball match is worth two points and the hosts won the preceding one-day international series 3-0, with the second of three T20s taking place in Canberra on Thursday at 08:40 GMT.
Jones acknowledged the disappointment felt by the team and the fans, but remains confident that England can win the remaining matches to finish the series with a draw.
“We still feel positive that we can put on a show and entertain and inspire you all,” Jones told BBC Sport.
“There’s been many moments where we could have won different games, which I guess makes it all the more frustrating.
“But we can absolutely draw from here. Our best cricket is yet to come and we’re all really excited about that.”
Jones reaffirmed England captain Heather Knight’s view that they are “not far off” beating Australia despite particularly heavy defeats in the most recent matches.
She also responded to criticism that the side have faced since the defeat in Sydney, after it emerged that spinner Sophie Ecclestone refused a television interview with pundit and former player Alex Hartley.
Hartley had questioned the fitness of some England players following the Women’s T20 World Cup in the autumn, which both coach Jon Lewis and captain Heather Knight denied was a problem.
“I can only speak for myself, but I just don’t like to look at it (the media), because I know that it could get to me and therefore it doesn’t serve me,” Jones said.
“It’s their job to criticise, and of course it has an important purpose in growing the sport, but I don’t think I need the outside noise.”
Jones also spoke candidly about England’s costly defeat in the second ODI, where she was tasked with shepherding the tail in an attempt to chase only 181 for what would have been a series-levelling win.
England were bowled out for 159 after Jones had miscounted how many balls were left in the 48th over, which left number 11 Lauren Bell exposed at the other end.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had to farm the strike in a game before, especially not for that long,” Jones said.
“It was very frustrating. It felt like every time I looked for a boundary I could only get the single, and every time I wanted the single I couldn’t get it.
“I took that very hard. There was a lot going on in the over, with no-balls and a change of bowler, but I was adamant there were two balls left so I guess I was just distracted.”
Jones said the situation had been very emotional for her but that she had received plenty of support from her team-mates and credited their unity in sticking together despite the series scoreline.
England fought back from 6-0 down in 2023 to level the series, but by that point the Test, which is worth four points, had already been completed.
This year’s Test takes place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for four days from 30 January.
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