Women’s Ashes: ‘Are England improving?’ questions Nasser Hussain after Ashes series loss to Australia

Nasser Hussain played in England Ashes defeats in Australia and captained the side to a 4-1 series loss in 2002/03, so knows what the women’s side are currently going through.

Australia retained the Women’s Ashes on Monday with a fourth win in four to take an unassailable 8-0 lead in the multi-format series, which continues on Thursday with the second of three T20 internationals between the sides from 8.15am (UK time).

With the one-off Test to follow that earns the winner four points, there is still a chance of England drawing the series 8-8 – as they did in the 2023 Women’s Ashes at home. But, having been thoroughly outplayed during an ODI series whitewash before losing the opening T20I, such a fightback from Heather Knight’s side looks unlikely.

“The reaction and what has happened reminds me very much of when we were playing out there,” Hussain said on the latest Sky Sports Cricket podcast.

“I don’t think we were whitewashed – and this England women’s side haven’t been whitewashed, but they’ve lost their first four games. The Ashes have gone; I lost them in 12 days, Heather Knight in nine days – albeit different formats.

“It must be hugely disappointing.

“Australia have shown their class. To put it in context, just how good Australia are as a cricketing nation, they haven’t lost an ODI series at home for 38 years! They’re one of the greatest sides there has ever been.

“But, instead of looking at the opposition, have a look at your own side. Are you improving under Knight and Jon Lewis? That’s the question that needs to be asked.”

It is 11 years since England last won The Ashes. Knight, appointed captain in 2016, led the team to victory in the 2017 50-over World Cup on home soil, but England are trophyless since. Lewis, having taken over as head coach in 2022, has instilled a more aggressive playing style but one which, as of yet, has not brought with it additional silverware.

England suffered an early exit at last year’s T20 World Cup after a shock group-stage loss to West Indies in Dubai, with former player turned pundit Alex Hartley saying some players were “letting their team down” with their fitness.

And following England’s 57-run defeat in the opening T20I on Monday, which clinched The Ashes for Australia, Hartley told the BBC’s Test Match Special that she believes she has been “hung out to dry” by the current team, claiming Sophie Ecclestone had refused to speak to her ahead of the match.

Hussain, who himself had the odd run-in with the media during his playing career – including famously holding three fingers up to the commentary box at Lord’s after scoring a century batting at No 3 in an ODI final against India in 2002 – said of Hartley’s comments: “I thought what Alex Hartley said was pretty fair.

“It’s part of her job to call it as she sees it. And it’s part of you to react; I’ve been there, with three fingers held up to [Ian] Botham, [Bob] Willis and [Jonathan] Agnew.

“It’s also part of your responsibility to do the media. But I’ve known the odd player in the men’s game actually who will ask the question, ‘who is doing the interview?’

“She questioned the fitness and the fielding in particular. And obviously certain members of the team have reacted poorly to that.

“It’s been a disappointing couple of weeks.”

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