'Disruptors' put English cat among the Aussie pigeons

ON TUESDAY, Heather Knight called on her England team to be “disruptors”. My, how they have put the cat among the pigeons now.

- Malik Ouzia

Less than a fortnight ago, touring captain Alyssa Healy told a reception at Australia House in London that her side were eyeing up a 16-0 Ashes sweep, having got off to a flyer in the usually crucial one-off Test. Without any of the four points on offer in that contest, it seemed England’s chances of regaining the Urn were already cooked. When Australia also won the First T20, they were effectively charcoaled.

Fast-forward to Bristol last night, though, and the only skipper doing much talking was Knight, all of it — at least until being interviewed as player of the match — with the bat, to lead England to the two-wicket victory that suddenly has all bets off.

Australia’s concern is no longer with the margin of victory but on ensuring there is one at all.

Healy’s team, after three straight defeats that have levelled the score at 6-6, now need to win the remaining two ODIs to claim the series outright, England aware that the same feat on their part would end a nine-year Ashes drought.