- England's fitness level had previously been criticized during their tour of South Africa.
- Charlie Dean has defended the team as they prepare their attack for the Ashes title.
England player Charlie Dean has defended her team's fitness levels as they embark on their latest bid to win back the Ashes.
The first game of their multi-format series begins on Saturday night in Sydney and ends with a day/night Test match at the MCG, with Australia unbeaten in their last five series against England.
Heather Knight's side have just completed a successful tour of South Africa, but are still not clear of former teammate Alex Hartley's claims that they were not fit enough during the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in the autumn, when England were eliminated. eliminated in the group stage.
Hartley told the BBC: “Australia has 15 or 16 athletes. Eighty per cent of the England team are fit and athletic enough, but there are girls in that team who are letting the team down.”
England coach Jon Lewis responded by insisting: “I don't agree with that 100 per cent.”
And now Dean, whose breaks have netted him 114 ODI and T20 wickets at an average of 19, has played down concerns ahead of the first one-day international at North Sydney Oval.
England player Charlie Dean has defended her team's fitness levels as they embark on their latest bid to win back the Ashes.
The first match of their multi-format series begins on Saturday night in Sydney.
Dean has played down concerns over his fitness ahead of the first one-day international at North Sydney Oval.
“We worked a lot before going to Dubai,” he said. “We knew that the World Cup was going to be very difficult and I don't think the reason we lost was because of our physical condition.
'We are professional athletes and we are all working hard. We're pretty sure. We are very aware that playing here is going to be a challenge.
“But we are up to the task and we come with a slightly fresher attitude towards the challenge that the Australians pose.”
There are two points to be won in each of the three ODIs and T20s, and four for the single Test. If England can improve on the 8-8 draw in 2023, they will regain the Ashes they last won a decade ago.