England vice-captain Anya Shrubsole predicts closely-fought Ashes series
Thursday 19 October 2017 09:12, UK
Vice-captain Anya Shrubsole insists there is nothing to separate England and Australia ahead of the forthcoming Ashes series.
Australia won the multi-format series contested between the two teams in 2015 but England have since gone top of the ICC rankings following their thrilling victory in this year's Women's World Cup on home soil.
"I think it's going to be a pretty evenly-matched series," Shrubsole told Sky Sports News from Brisbane on Thursday morning.
"I think we've just overtaken Australia but I think it's by a fraction of a raking point so it's really close between the two of us.
"It is set to be a really good series. No one will put us under more pressure than we will ourselves as a team. We obviously want to come out here and win the Ashes back. We don't have them at the minute and we are desperate to have them back.
"We're really looking forward to get out there and get started."
Australia host England for three ODI's - starting in Brisbane on October 22 - followed by one Test match in Sydney, and three T20 Internationals to round off the series.
England's chances of regaining the Ashes have been boosted by the unavailability of Australia skipper and world No 1 ODI batter Meg Lanning, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury.
But England spinner Alex Hartley is refusing to underestimate the Southern Stars.
"They've got a few decent players who are obviously danger players," he said.
"They've got Elyse Villani who is very good at T20 cricket and they have got a very strong batting line-up. All of of their players are capable."
