England wicketkeeper Amy Jones insisted there was no extra pressure going into Sunday’s penultimate match of the Women’s Ashes at the Ageas Bowl.
Heather Knight’s team have stormed back from 6-0 down to level the multi-format series after they triumphed by two wickets in the first ODI in Bristol on Wednesday.
Victory in Sunday’s match in Hampshire would put England one win away from regaining the Ashes for the first time since 2014 and inflict a first ODI-series defeat on world champions Australia in a decade.
Despite having the momentum on their side, Jones does not believe the mindset of Jon Lewis’ squad will change.
She said: “I think everyone is feeling pretty relaxed. We had a good review of the game, looking at areas where we can improve still, which was really motivating as a group after a win.
“We’ve obviously got an opportunity to win the ODI series tomorrow so everyone is pretty excited about it.
“We’ve gone the whole series feeling like underdogs and we’re just trying to keep that mentality of acknowledging how good a side Australia are, but sticking to our strengths and trying to put them under as much pressure as possible during the game. It will be a similar mindset tomorrow I think.
“I think there was more pressure when we were 6-0 down than there is now.
“So, I don’t feel like there’s any extra pressure now. I think, if anything, it’s just doing what we’ve been doing and trying to stay in the moment and play each game.”
England had not tasted success against Australia in three years before they edged a thrilling T20 at the Kia Oval earlier this month.
Jones admitted it boosted belief, but credited their tour of the West Indies at the end of 2022 as the beginning of a period where they have consistently played bold, aggressive cricket under captain Knight and head coach Lewis.
“It doesn’t feel like we’re playing a different (Australia) side. It just feels like we’re a different side and the way we’re going about it is different,” Jones explained.
“Obviously they are best team in the world, have proven it for many years and although leading into the series we spoke about how we feel, we are good enough to beat them – I think until you do, you are not 100 per cent certain.
“Definitely to get the wins in the T20s, to win the series was huge for us as a group. We’ve taken a lot of confidence from that and hopefully we can carry it forward into these last two.
“Something we recognised back in the West Indies, we sat down and thought about how we play our best cricket and it is when we feel backed, supported as individuals and we do play with a smile on our faces.
“In the West Indies, it felt like a turning point in terms of how we all were around each other, almost a bit of release of pressure that we just put on ourselves over the years for whatever reason.
“Lew’s main message is ‘inspire and entertain’ and that is huge, I think, because it just takes the pressure off win or lose.
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“I think with all of that, it promotes playing with freedom, playing your shots, people come to watch good cricket and an exciting cricket and having the freedom to do that without too much fixation on the result and if you get out, as we saw it in some good entertaining cricket.”
England will play in front of another sell-out crowd at the Ageas Bowl, having seen attendance records broken throughout the Ashes.
The series has captured the imagination of the public and this week saw the ICC announce their tournaments would see equal pay for men and women teams moving forward.
Jones is excited about how far the women’s game continues to come, adding: “Yeah, it is a great step. Obviously a really positive move for women’s cricket and a great show from the ICC of how far our game has come along.
“Everyone’s absolutely loved it (this summer) and it’s the first time we’ve played at the big rounds consistently.
“The marketing of the joint Ashes and everything, to see all of that work behind the scenes pay off and people do want to come out and watch us and we can fill grounds, it’s a brilliant feeling and we’ve definitely thrived off that.
“It is sold-out again tomorrow, so another great atmosphere and hopefully a good match.”
Rutherford gets big payday from Gujarat Titans at IPL 2025 Mega Auction; Shepherd, Powell snapped up by RCB and KKR, respectively
Guyanese hard-hitting left hander Sherfane Rutherford will get the opportunity to shine on T20 franchise cricket’s biggest stage once again after being picked up by the Gujarat Giants on Monday’s second day of the 2025 IPL Mega Auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Rutherford, who entered the auction with a base price of US$182,000, was the subject of an intense bidding war between the Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans.
The Indians started the bidding at US$243,000 before the Titans countered with a bid of US$268,000.
Mumbai responded with a bid of US$292,000 before the Titans returned with a winning bid of US$317,000.
Rutherford has previously made 10 appearances in the IPL, seven for the Delhi capitals in 2019 and three for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2022, scoring 106 runs in nine innings at an average of 15.14.
He has also previously been part of the Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders.
Other West Indians selected on day two include Romario Shepherd who was snapped up by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for US$182,000 and West Indies T20I captain Rovman Powell who went to the Kolkata Knight Riders for the same price.
The Lucknow Super Giants exercised their right to match the Mumbai Indians bid of US$91,000 for pacer Shamar Joseph.
Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Akeal Hosein, Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers and Roston Chase all went unsold.
Australia still confident despite heavily losing first India Test, says Cummins
Pat Cummins says Australia are still confident they can win the Border Gavaskar Trophy despite slumping to a 295-run defeat to India in the first Test.
The hosts started day four needing 522 runs after slipping to 12-3 at the start of their second innings but could only reach 238 as India's attack made quick work of things in Perth.
Australia have won just one Test series when losing the opener (home and away) since 1970. They have lost 24 series and drawn five, though three of those five draws were two-match series.
Despite a poor start to their five-match series, Cummins insisted it was unlikely Australia would make any rash decisions ahead of the second Test.
"I am not a selector, but I would be very surprised if we made any big changes," he told ABC Sports.
"Really confident these are the best of 11 guys coming into this week. This week didn't go our way, but I'm still confident that's the case.
"We challenge each other. We will stick firm, so this week doesn't change that.
"We were clearly well off the mark. There is a lot to work on. So, the most important thing is, there's four Test matches next to come.
"What's the next move? How do we make sure that we don't be in this position again?"
India had racked up just 150 runs during their first innings, but a strong bowling performance against Australia steadied the ship before centuries from Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal put them out of sight.
The tourists claimed their biggest Test win (by runs) in Australia on Monday, while it was also their third-biggest away Test victory in history.
Captain Jasprit Bumrah, who took his 40th wicket on Australian soil as he finished with bowling figures of 8-72, was pleased with the faith India showed after their early setback.
"We were put under pressure in the first innings, but the way we responded after that, I'm really very proud of the team," Bumrah said.
"I played here in 2018, so I remember that when you start here, the wicket is a little soft and then becomes quicker and quicker. So, I was relying on that experience. Obviously, this wicket was a little less spicy than the last one that I played here, but we were really well prepared.
"So I was just telling everyone to have faith in their process and ability, because over here at this moment you have an opportunity to do something special. So, on a given day, experience does matter, but if you have faith in your ability, you can do something special."
Rush among broadcasters for inaugural Global Super League
The 2024 ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL), featuring teams from Australia, Bangladesh, England, Guyana, and Pakistan, has finalized its list of broadcasters, ensuring global reach for the tournament set to run from November 26 to December 6.
Fans across the world will have access to live coverage of the tournament, which boasts a US$1 million prize fund and promises top-quality cricket with international stars competing for a global T20 title.
In the Caribbean, Rush will be the official broadcaster, providing fans in the region with comprehensive coverage of all the matches. In Guyana, NCN, TVG, and ENetworks will bring the tournament to local viewers, reflecting the host nation’s enthusiasm for the event.
The tournament will also be broadcast in key cricketing markets such as Australia on Fox Sports, India via Sony and Fancode, Pakistan on A Sports and Tapmad, and in the United Kingdom through TNT Sports. Additionally, Sky Sport NZ will cover the matches in New Zealand, and Willow TV will cater to viewers in the USA and Canada.
For fans in markets without a dedicated broadcast partner, the GSL will provide free live streaming on its Facebook and YouTube channels, ensuring accessibility to cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
The GSL, held exclusively at the Guyana National Stadium, promises to bring together the best of global T20 cricket, with players from different nations vying for the coveted title. The tournament’s global broadcasting network underscores its ambition to become a staple in the international cricket calendar.
As excitement builds for the inaugural edition, cricket fans everywhere can look forward to enjoying the action, whether through local broadcasters or online platforms.
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