Tahlia McGrath insists Australia are nonetheless decided to win the Ashes and never simply retain them, regardless of struggling their first back-to-back losses in any format in nearly six years.
Australia’s grip on the multi-form Ashes has loosened in latest days, after successful the Test match and series-opening T20 to take a 6-0 factors lead.
However, defeats to England at The Oval and Lord’s have diminished that scoreline to 6-4, with two factors obtainable for every of the remaining three ODIs.
As holders of the trophy, Australia can nonetheless retain the Ashes with a victory within the opening ODI on Wednesday night time in Bristol to make it 8-4 with two matches to play.
But the vacationers have lengthy been adamant they’ve little interest in solely drawing the collection, after strolling away with an empty feeling after doing likewise in 2016-17.
Instead, they’re decided to win two of the three ODIs to make sure they stroll away outright winners.
“We just want to win the Ashes. That’s what we came here to do,” vice-captain McGrath mentioned.
“I don’t think (drawing) is enough. We want to win every game of cricket. First and foremost is retaining the Ashes, but we want to win these three games coming up.
“Winning 8-8 does not sound nearly as good as successful them outright. The focus is on successful tomorrow, however we need to win outright.”
Australia’s losses in the T20s marked their first back-to-back defeats in any formats since November 2017.
But they will walk out into their preferred format on Wednesday, having dominated the 50-over game in particular over the past five years.
Their record in ODIs stands at an imposing 41-1 in completed games since the start of 2018, with the team currently on a 15-game winning streak.
“Part of the explanation we’ve been so profitable up to now is you might have a lot extra time in ODIs,” McGrath mentioned.
“You can construct your innings a bit extra. We have had gamers money in and rating these huge a whole bunch with gamers supporting them.
“From a bowling point of view you can build a bit more pressure and work batters out a bit more.
“We have been constant in that format, and gamers coming in know precisely what they should do for the crew.”
Australia could make a change to their team for Wednesday’s clash, with Phoebe Litchfield, Grace Harris and Heather Graham likely to be fighting it out for one spot.
Litchfield did open in Australia’s final ODI matches in January, however Alyssa Healy has since returned to accomplice Beth Mooney on the prime of the order.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
