NEWS
Follow UsEngland women need a miracle to stay alive in this edition of the Ashes series, as the home team ought to win five games in a row to have a chance of equalling Australia's points in the multi-format series.
After losing the first Test at Trent Bridge and the opening T20I, England will set foot for the second clash at the Kennington Oval in London on Wednesday, July 5, aiming to keep the series alive.
Sophie Ecclestone, the star performer for the hosts in the two games, is optimistic about the team's chances and stated there is not much difference between the two sides heading into the must-win clash.
"We've seen weirder things happen than that in cricket. We're up for the challenge, and we know exactly what we need to do. We're really not far away from them. They're a great team, and we compete with them a lot, but we have to go one better tomorrow," Ecclestone said, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.
"It's obviously going to be a really hard task to beat the Aussies, five out of five, but we know what we need to do, and the girls are up for it tomorrow. So we're hoping to put on a big show in front of the big crowd."
The five-day Test match witnessed a record crowd in attendance to watch the game and encourage the players, which the left-arm spinner feels will help young kids take up the sport and emulate their idols.
"To see so many kids in the crowd, so many people watching our games, has been amazing. I think Edgbaston is the largest crowd I've ever had in the UK, so hopefully it continues."
"I know we've got sell-out crowds at the Oval and Lord's, and I'm just so excited to get out and play cricket there in front of them. It makes all the hard work on and off the field worth it. I think we're just really excited to get there and entertain them and hopefully inspire the next generation to play cricket," she further added.
Australia are unbeaten in 39 white-ball games thus far and have adopted an aggressive style of play in recent time, which Ecclestone believes will help her scalp wickets and dent the opposition.
"A few Ashes ago, they just didn't go against me and looked to block me out, but they've definitely taken more of an attacking approach, so I think it's exciting for me," she said. "I feel more in the game when they come at me and not look to block me out."
"We've had conversations and a few meetings about how we want to go about our cricket tomorrow. We're really confident going into it, and hopefully, we can pull it off," she concluded.
