Heather Knight is frustrated and gutted but will delay any decision on her captaincy until emotions subside after leading England to an unprecedented drubbing at the hands of Australia in the women’s Ashes series that finished on Saturday at the MCG.
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After an innings and 122-run loss in the historic pink ball Test at the MCG concluded the first whitewash in a women’s Ashes series, Knight conceded England were outplayed in every facet by an Australian team she said played “amazingly well”.
The English captain, who scored 25 and 32 in the pink ball Test, said after a tight loss in Canberra last month that she would consider her nine-year tenure as skipper at the end of the series. But after the mammoth loss at the MCG, she opted against any immediate call.
“I’m going to sit on the fence again and say it’s a time to probably not think about it,” she said.
“Things are pretty raw and have obviously happened pretty quickly (here). And I think the coming weeks is a time for everyone to reflect on what we could have done better, how we’re going to improve as a side and … I guess that’s not an emotional decision that’s going to be made now.”
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Despite the lopsided series, Knight contested the assertion it was the lowest point in her tenure leading England, saying there were some positives to come from the tour despite the 16-nil drubbing.
She identified fast bowler Lauren Bell, who produced some superb spells and showed resistance with the bat on Saturday night when delaying Australia’s waltz to victory for more than 30 minutes, and Ryana MacDonald-Gay as players who showed promise.
“I don’t think so. I think I’ve had a few rough moments. It’s a bit of a roller coaster, international cricket, isn’t it, and being an international captain,” she said.
“There’s always highs and lows and that’s the joy of the job. Sometimes it tests you, tests your character, tests the good times and the bad times. And you have to, I guess, take them on the chin, the bad times, to enjoy the good times.”
Knight described the depth in Australian cricket as extraordinary and said the hosts were superb at “pressing home their advantage” once gaining the initiative in either a session or a match.
“I think the Australian team probably won the big moments, and I think that’s something we we need to try and do better, and when we’re on top, to try and really press home that advantage. That’s certainly something we can do better,” she said.
“I think their bowling execution under pressure has been outstanding at times. Their spinners in particular made it really tricky for us, obviously out here. I thought Alana in particular bowled, amazingly, probably on a wicket we didn’t expect to spin as much as it did. I think the grounds man was even quite surprised how much it did turn.”
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Despite losing every match and being blown away in the Test, Knight is adamant that England is a better team than they have shown. In that, she has the support of her counterpart Alyssa Healy, who said England had “matchwinners within that squad”.
“We definitely haven’t been at our best, which has been quite frustrating, because we know we’re a better team than the scoreboard suggests,” Knight said.
“It’s always a tough place to come and tour as a cricketer and particularly as a leader and I guess when things aren’t going right, this is always pretty tough. But ultimately … we haven’t played well enough and you’re going to feel that as a leader and feel that on your shoulders, I guess.
“I’m slightly frustrated with with how the team has gone. We haven’t showed our best cricket and we’re all obviously very frustrated with that and pretty gutted.”
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