Knight: England cleared ‘psychological hurdle’ to maintain Ashes hopes alive
H
eather Knight believes England have cleared a “psychological hurdle” after ending their lengthy watch for victory over Australia at Kia Oval final night time.
Knight’s staff stored their slim Ashes hopes alive with a three-run victory within the Second T20 of the multi-format sequence, their first win over the serial world champions in 4 years.
The triumph was additionally a primary Ashes victory for England – males or girls in any format – since 2019, with each groups having gone winless throughout their 2021/22 excursions Down Under.
“It was a bit of a psychological hurdle for us to get over,” Knight mentioned. “Me and [head coach] Jon Lewis talked last night about how once we got over that hurdle, we feel we’re going to fly.”
Defeats within the one-off Test and opening T20 had left England 6-0 down within the sequence and put Australia inside one win of retaining the Urn heading into final night time’s sport, which was performed din entrance of greater than 20,000 followers on the Oval.
Danni Wyatt’s 76 off 46 balls noticed England defy a middle-order collapse to submit 186-9, their highest ever T20 whole towards Australia, earlier than spinners Sarah Glenn and Sophie Ecclestone took two wickets every as the house aspect held their nerve regardless of Ellyse Perry belting the final two deliveries for six to achieve her half-century.
“Some of us are a bit emotional as it’s been a long time coming,” said Glenn. “We’ve had lots of really close calls and we’ve always known we can beat them as well.
“It’s just actually getting over the line against a top line-up who have had momentum for a long time, so we’re really proud.”
The sequence now heads to Lord’s for Saturday’s last T20, earlier than concluding with subsequent week’s run of three ODIs.