Aggressive mindset can create ‘cracks’ in Aussies: Knight

Heather Knight believes her team has the momentum heading into the ODI leg of the Ashes, saying their performance in the one-off Test proves they can make the world's best team crack under pressure.

England trail Australia 6-4 in the points-based series and must win all three one-dayers to regain the trophy.

Australia have lost just one ODI since the last time the Ashes were held on home soil in 2017, with that defeat coming in their most recent game against India last September and ending a run of 26-straight victories.

"The way we went at that chase was awesome, real character from the girls," Knight said on Wednesday.

"It's shown that we can fight back and when we do go hard at them, then we can put them under pressure, and really create a few cracks.

"It gives us real confidence, particularly that second innings was very much like a one-day chase ... we haven't had a huge amount of time in the middle with the weather so that's a really good sign."

England were seemingly cruising towards the greatest run chase in the history of women's Tests on Sunday, needing 39 runs from 46 balls with seven wickets in hand, before losing 6-27 and just clinging on for a draw.

Knight, who was emotional in the immediate aftermath of the game, said she was focused on the positives from the four-day game.

"It's quite important for us to try and park it," she added. "I've certainly learned in my career that if you don't park a game like that it can be quite detrimental."

Meanwhile, Lanning said her team would also go in filled with belief, after their fightback with the ball that denied England a victory that would have put the tourists ahead in the multi-format series.

The fourth innings closely mimicked a one-day chase, as England were set 257 runs to win from 48 overs, and Lanning said the death bowling performances from Annabel Sutherland and Alana King in particular would give selectors plenty to ponder.

"We understand it's going to be a difficult challenge against a side who has shown particularly over the last couple of weeks how good they can be," Lanning said.

"(But) the way we fought back and got ourselves back into the Test was fantastic.

"We're really comfortable with our ODI game at the moment. We feel like it's in a good spot. But we need to make sure we bring our best."

Australia are facing a selection headache for Thursday's day-night ODI, with Megan Schutt to return to the XI after missing the Test.

A top seven of Alyssa Healy, Rachael Haynes, Lanning, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath and Ashleigh Gardner appears locked in, while Schutt and Jess Jonassen – who occupy two of the top three spots in the ICC's ODI bowling rankings – are automatic selections.

That would leave just two spots to be filled by King, Sutherland, Nicola Carey and Darcie Brown.

Lanning confirmed Australia would be picking from their Ashes squad unless injuries demanded otherwise, meaning World Cup squad members Amanda-Jade Wellington and Grace Harris – who are touring with Australia A – will not come into consideration before the ICC tournament in New Zealand.

"We've picked an ODI squad for the Ashes and we'll stick with that," Lanning said.

"We can go outside that if necessary, if there's injury or illness, but we feel like we've picked that squad for the conditions here."

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes v England

Australia Ashes squad: Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Stella Campbell, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes (vc), Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Meg Lanning (c), Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland

England Ashes squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver (vc), Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt

Australia lead the multi-format series 6-4

Jan 20: Australia won by nine wickets

Jan 22: No Result

Jan 23: Match Abandoned without a ball bowled

Jan 27-30: Match Drawn

Feb 3: First ODI, Manuka Oval (D/N), 2.10pm AEDT

Feb 6: Second ODI, Junction Oval, 10.05am AEDT

Feb 8: Third ODI, Junction Oval, 10.05am AEDT