England, as it headed into the ashes, “doesn’t have as many scars” as in previous years, says spinner Charlie Dean.
Heather Knight’s side are hoping for a first Ashes win since 2014 after a thrilling summer 2023 home campaign that included famous triumphs in both white-ball matches of the multi-format series.
Dean added that England will take a lot of confidence from this effort as they go into Saturday’s opening one-day international, unlike their previous away tour in 2022, during which they did not win a single match.
“Going back to my last trip here, I was very new to the international scene and was quite daunted by the prospect of playing in Australia,” Dean said.
“I don’t know if the rest of the group was like that, but it kind of felt like that. So I think we’re a bit more experienced this time.
“We lost a few players along the way, but we don’t seem to have as many scars in the group as in previous series. Big challenges bring with them a chance for success, and our home summer in the Ashes filled us with many positive emotions. what we know we can do.”
Both England and Australia are in decent form heading into the competition, having recorded series victories against South Africa and India respectively after disappointing autumn T20 World Cup campaigns.
Dean also credited the growing number of cricket franchises around the world with helping to reduce the intimidation of playing against Australia on their home soil, with players regularly switching from teammates to opponents between tournaments.
“It gives you a pretty good advantage, you can be friends off the pitch, but when it comes down to it, white line fever sets in and you will do whatever it takes to win the game for your country,” she said.
“But it brings a certain familiarity, it doesn’t seem as intimidating anymore, which is an interesting dynamic to balance.”
England’s only warm-up match before the series began on January 11 (23:30 GMT). interrupted by rain at North Sydney Ovalwith just 28.2 overs against the Australian Governor General’s XI.
The series consists of three one-day internationals, three T20s and a four-day Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
