England face an uphill battle to win back the Women’s Ashes, admits captain Heather Knight

England captain Heather Knight remains upbeat despite a tough road ahead after Australia completed an ODI clean sweep in the Women’s Ashes 2025.

The 86-run win in Hobart has given the Aussies a commanding 6-0 lead in the multi-format series. To regain the Ashes, England must win the next three T20Is and the one-off Test.

“It’s going to be hard,” Knight admitted in a recent interview. “But we’ve been here before. The last Ashes series was 6-0, and we were able to turn things around. We’re still alive, we’re still here, and we have to keep believing.”

Missed opportunities in Hobart ODI

England produced their best performance of the series in Hobart, initially reducing Australia to 59 for four. However, they faltered at critical moments with both bat and ball, allowing the hosts to post a daunting total. Despite parity at the halfway mark in their chase, England failed to capitalise.

“We have to keep calm” Knight pointed out. “At those key moments when the game was on the line, Australia dealt with them really well, while we couldn’t seize the moment and take any advantage.”

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The format change offers hope

England’s preparations for the upcoming Ashes stages include a strategic focus on player fitness.

Kate Crosswho was about to play in Hobart, was rested to avoid aggravating a back injury. Cross will now focus on training for the Melbourne Test, which starts on January 30, together Tammy Beaumont i Ryana MacDonald-Gay. Meanwhile, the rest of the squad will turn their attention towards the T20Is.

Knight is optimistic about the change in format, and sees T20 cricket as one of England’s strengths. “Having a format change will be very good for us,” she said “T20 cricket is one of our best formats, and this little reset will do us good.”

With renewed focus and belief, England will look to turn their fortunes around in the T20I leg of the series, keeping their hopes of winning the Ashes alive.

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This article was first published in WomenCricket.coma Cricket time company