We want to play entertaining cricket, I think we did that: Heather Knight

England fought hard but that was still not enough to get the better of Australia in the one-off Test in Nottingham. Tammy Beaumont crafted a double century, while Sophie Ecclestone claimed 10 wickets in the match, but it was Australia who emerged victorious by 89 runs on Monday (June 26)

England skipper Heather Knight felt they “bowled a little too aggressively” but don’t have too many regrets, saying they wanted to play an entertaining brand of cricket. “We did quite well on a difficult pitch. Just a couple of sessions we could've done a bit better,” said Knight after the game.

“End of the day, we want to play entertaining cricket and I think we did that. I think they batted well, took their opportunities to score, I think we bowled a little too aggressively trying to take too many wickets but credit to Australia, we did come back and do well the next day.”

Australia amassed 473 runs in the first innings but also allowed England to score 463. In the second innings, Beth Mooney (85) and skipper Alyssa Healy (50) scored half-centuries and propelled Australia to 257. Once they had some runs on the board, Ashleigh Gardner wreaked havoc with her off-spin and dismantled England’s batting line-up.

The hosts didn’t get the desired result but that didn’t stop Knight from heaping heavy praise on Beaumont and Ecclestone. England only conceded a lead of 10 runs in the first innings. However, the surface got tougher and tougher and the visitors were able to defend a target of 268 with utmost ease, with Gardner taking eight wickets in the last innings.

“That was a wild game, I've been quite vocal about having five days and today shows why it's so vital to have five days. Obviously, was great to have some of the performances we did. Tammy (Beaumont) and Sophie (Ecclestone), so great to have them. It was in the balance, the way Tammy (Beaumont) batted and the partnerships we had, we were in the game and we came back yesterday after a tough session,” said Knight.

“She's (Ecclestone) a captain's dream, she can just hold up one end, for her to bowl so many overs - thought I over-bowled her but she did really well. She really stepped up and was chuffed about taking two five-fers. I think we'll reflect on the five days, we want to play entertaining and inspiring cricket and I think we did that so we're really proud of that.”