The first game of an Ashes series has all those additional layers. Whether it’s extra media duties, singing the national anthem or the pre-series photo with the trophy, the anticipation and build-up is unavoidable for the players. When the England side took to the field a week ago, seven matches lay ahead; seven opportunities to compete with Australia and win the Ashes.
England’s first outing was not the start they would have desired for their campaign, aiming to regain the Ashes after a barren decade. There were some positive signs from the camp at North Sydney Oval with Heather Knight and Danni Wyatt-Hodge getting some runs under their belts. Ending 204 all out, however, was far from the competitive total they would have wished to set their rivals.
