We’re not far off – Heather Knight encouraged by England display in Ashes opener

Heather Knight believes there are little things England can “sharpen up on” following their defeat to Australia in the Women’s Ashes opener.

The tourists fell to a four-wicket loss in the first ODI at the North Sydney Oval as Australia took a two-point advantage in the multi-format series.

After being sent into bat first, England were all out for 204, with skipper Knight top-scoring with 39.

Spearheaded by captain Alyssa Healy, who posted 70 before being bowled by Charlie Dean, Australia chased down the target with 67 balls to spare.

The second ODI takes place at Junction Oval in Melbourne on Tuesday and ahead of that contest, Knight believes her side are “not far off”.

When asked about England’s bowling performance at the post-match presentation, Knight replied: “Really pleased, it fell over really in that game, if we could nab a few of those wickets we felt we could really squeeze them and be on top.

“Bad toss to lose, I think, it seamed around a little bit at the top and the pitch dried out as the day went on, but really pleased with how the bowlers went about it, that wicket-taking mindset.

“Lauren Bell, I think that’s the best I’ve seen her bowl in an England shirt, probably didn’t get the wickets that she deserved but she was outstanding.

“Good control of her line and length and a little bit of movement off the pitch as well.

Knight put on 50 for the second wicket with Tammy Beaumont before Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Amy Jones kept the pressure on with a 51-run partnership.

However, none of England’s batters broke past a score of 40 and Knight hopes they can be more ruthless with the bat.

She said: “I think we did some stuff really well in this match.

“I think with the bat – including myself – a few of us got off to starts and didn’t go on to get that big score or really big partnership, that’s something we can look to do a little bit better.

“We get another 20 runs there and we’re really in the game.”

Australia worked well to dismiss England inside 44 overs and Ashleigh Gardner was the pick of the bowlers with three for 19.

After Healy’s impressive knock, all-rounder Gardner then posted an unbeaten 42 to see her side over the line.

Speaking about the performance, skipper Healy said: “Pretty happy, always some little areas to work on, but to come here and take two points heading to Junction is obviously a positive.”