Women’s Ashes 2025: Amy Jones says England’s ‘best is yet to come’

England wicketkeeper Amy Jones says the team’s “best cricket is yet to come” as they prepare to salvage some glory in the remaining Women’s Ashes matches.

Australia quickly retained the Ashes with a thumping 57-run win in the first T20I at the Sydney Cricket Ground, giving them an unassailable 8-0 lead in the points-based series.

Each white-ball match is worth two points and the hosts won the previous ODI series 3-0, while the second of three T20Is gets underway in Canberra on Thursday at 08:40 GMT.

Jones acknowledged the disappointment felt by the team and fans, but is confident that England can win the remaining matches and end the series with a draw.

“We still feel positive that we can put on a show and entertain and inspire you all,” Jones told BBC Sport.

“There have been moments when we could have won different games, which I think makes it more disappointing.

“But we can definitely move forward from here. Our best cricket is still to come and we are all really excited about it.”

Jones confirmed England captain Heather Knight’s view that they are “not too far” from defeating Australia despite particularly heavy defeats in recent matches.

She also responded to the criticism that the team has faced since the defeat in Sydney, when it emerged that spinner Sophie Ecclestone refused a television interview with pundit and former player Alex Hartley.

Hartley raised questions about the fitness of some England players following the Women’s T20 World Cup in the autumn, which both coach John Lewis and captain Heather Knight denied was a problem.

“I can only speak for myself, but I don’t like to see it (comments in the media) because I know it can get to me and so it doesn’t serve me,” Jones said.

“It’s their job to criticize and certainly it has an important purpose in moving the game forward, but I don’t think I need outside noise.”