Cricketer Katherine Brunt says England will be desperate for revenge against Australia when the Ashes series begins next week. 

The two sides are due to face each other throughout the month of July, starting on Tuesday which is also Brunt’s 34th birthday. The fast bowler from Dodworth is currently on 198 England games in all formats and is hoping to erase bad recent memories of facing Australia.  The tourists won the last Ashes series in England four years ago then retained the urn on their own soil in 2017/18 after the series was drawn.

Brunt said: “It’s the big one.  “It’s probably the most motivated we have ever been for an Ashes series. The way we lost last time in Australia was so disappointing so we want revenge. We want this very, very badly. It will be tough because they are a really good team and I am expecting a close series.” 

The men’s team also host Australia in the Ashes this summer, after they complete the 50-over World Cup in this country. All of the men’s and women’s games will be live on Sky Sports.  Brunt said: “It’s a massive summer for cricket and a chance for the sport to attract fans who don’t usually watch it.

"We all accept that women’s cricket isn’t as sought-after as the men’s game so sometimes we have to piggyback on their success. We get brilliant media coverage so there might be some people who accidentally stumble on our games for the first time and see that we are representing our country and playing entertaining cricket to a good standard.”

England completed their series against West Indies this week. They won by 52 runs in the second Twenty20 in Northampton. Brunt took two for 22 off three overs as the hosts defended 180 by restricting the West Indies to 138. The third and final match was rained off on Tuesday. Brunt has suffered with severe back problems throughout her time playing cricket and knows her career may be entering its twilight. 

“I used to never be able to see a life outside of cricket but I am getting to stage where I can. But I don’t know how long I have left. Ultimately another injury is the most likely way my career will end. This is probably going to be my last Ashes so I am desperate to make a big impact.”

The series begins with One Day Internationals on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, July 7, with two points up for grabs in all of them. There is then a Test Match, worth four points, followed by three Twenty20 Internationals in the final week of July which are each worth two.  The team with the most points will win the Ashes but, if it is a draw, holders Australia will retain it.