Women's Ashes: England must match Australia's aggression, says captain Heather Knight

England must match Australia's aggression and «throw it right back at them» if they are going to be successful in the multi-format Ashes, says captain Heather Knight.

The series, which sees sides earn points for wins, starts with the first Twenty20 on Thursday (08:10 GMT).

Australia have held the Ashes for the past three series after away wins in 2015 and 2019 and a draw in 2017-18.

«We're going to have to be positive and trust our game,» said Knight.

Knight again reiterated England's preparation has been «quite average» but added they are in a «really good place».

England have picked their team but it will be revealed at the toss, with Knight saying they are «pretty clear on the side we think is going to be best here».

The multi-format contest sees four points awarded for a victory in the Test and two for a one-day or T20 win.

It starts with three T20s on 20, 22 and 23 January in Adelaide with a one-off Test from 26 January in Canberra, before culminating in a three-match ODI series.

The series is beginning a week earlier than originally planned to allow both teams to travel to New Zealand and complete 10 days quarantine before England begin their Women's 50-over World Cup defence, with the tournament starting on 4 March.

Ashes 2022 schedule:

England are the 50-over world champions and Australia won the T20 World Cup last year.

But Australia are the world's number one-ranked team in both formats and as such, particularly with home advantage, are favourites to retain the Ashes.

The recent head-to-head also favours the hosts, who have won five of the six previous ODI meetings.

Women's Tests are played over four days rather than five. The last four women's Tests have ended in a draw and, on flat Australian pitches, a stalemate will