Women's cricket: We need to focus on our game, says England women skipper Heather Knight

Mumbai, March 22: Ahead of their first game against Australia on Friday (March 23) in the ongoing T20 tri-series, England women's skipper Heather Knight has said they need to focus on their strengths irrespective of the opposition. England women, who were beaten 2-1 by Australia women Down Under in a three-match T20 series, will take on the same opponents at the Brabourne Stadium here.

"For us, it is about whoever we play, we play the top cricket that we want to play. We have done well as a team. We have to focus on what are our strengths, what we want to do with our cricket. And regardless of the opposition, if we do that, we will be in a good place," Knight told reporters here.

England women have warmed up in style as they outclassed India A in both practise games. Australia kick-started their T20 campaign on a positive note by thrashing India women by 6 wickets.

While England's men struggle in Auckland, the women prepare for their T20 tri-series opener against Australia in Mumbai tomorrow.

Captain Heather Knight has confirmed that pace bowler Anya Shrubsole will miss out with a shoulder injury. pic.twitter.com/vO1xD1CsEH

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) March 22, 2018

About the game, Knight said, "It's a very good wicket, fast outfield and can be hard to defend if the batter gets in. And we know the Indian and Australian players well. They are in good form."

Australian and English players have played in the Women's Big Bash League and the skipper says it can be advantage to both. "A few of the girls have played in the Big Bash and they have seen a bit of the Australians. On the other hand, the Australians have seen quite of us. So it works in our favour, but they also know a lot about you," Heather said. "Looking forward to the T20 (World Cup) in November, we want to take our T20 cricket to the next level. We were very successful in one-day cricket recently, but in T20 cricket, not so much. We haven't played a lot of it in recent times, internationally.

While England's men struggle in Auckland, the women prepare for their T20 tri-series opener against Australia in Mumbai tomorrow.

Captain Heather Knight has confirmed that pace bowler Anya Shrubsole will miss out with a shoulder injury. pic.twitter.com/vO1xD1CsEH

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) March 22, 2018

"So for us, it is about finding our best XI for us to be successful at the World Cup in November. There is going to be a lot of Twenty20 cricket in the next few years. It's about finding how do we play our T20 cricket and finding out who our best players are in T20," Knight signed off.