Head Coach Jon Lewis Attributes England Women's Ashes Challenges to Discipline Over Fitness

Adelaide, Jan 24 (NationPress) The head coach of England Women’s cricket team, Jon Lewis, has refuted the notion that fitness is the primary factor behind his team’s lackluster showing in the Women’s Ashes series. Instead, he highlighted Australia’s enhanced discipline and skill during crucial moments as the core reasons for their success.

Currently, England sits at a 10-0 deficit in points in the multi-format series after suffering defeats in all three ODIs and the opening two T20Is. Only the final T20I in Adelaide and a one-off day-night Test in Melbourne are left to play. Although this outcome has reignited discussions regarding fitness, Lewis asserts that the pivotal disparities lie in other areas.

The physical conditioning of England’s players has been under scrutiny since their early exit from the T20 World Cup last October. Former England spinner Alex Hartley criticized the team’s fitness at that time, but Lewis has consistently dismissed these claims.

“I would argue that Australia is a more athletic team than we are—more agile, quicker, and at times stronger,” Lewis told Sky Sports. “However, does that translate to us losing cricket matches? Absolutely not. I believe their discipline and skill level have surpassed ours.”

Lewis acknowledged that cultural differences contribute to the athleticism disparity between the two countries. “I recently walked from Bondi to Coogee, and nearly everyone in Sydney’s eastern suburbs was swimming, running, or walking. There’s a significant cultural distinction between Australia and England,” he noted.

However, he emphasized that athleticism alone does not determine success. “We don’t need to run marathons; we need to be fit for our specific roles,” he explained, underscoring that the technical and mental dimensions of the game have played a more substantial role in the series' outcomes.

Lewis believes that Australia’s knack for capitalizing on pivotal moments has been the defining characteristic of the series.

“In 2023, we stirred the pot a bit,” Lewis reflected, alluding to England’s spirited comeback that led to a drawn Ashes series 8-8 at home. “Australia has regrouped, and while the score is wider, I don’t think the gap is that significant.”

While the 10-0 scoreline may suggest overwhelming dominance, Lewis contended that England has been more competitive than the results indicate. “We seized those critical moments last time, but they’ve shifted the balance in this series,” he clarified.

Adding to England’s challenges, Australian all-rounder Grace Harris mocked the visitors after her team’s six-run victory in the rain-affected second T20I in Canberra. Harris expressed that Australia aimed to “embarrass” England with a complete series sweep of 16-0.

Though Lewis downplayed the provocation, the road ahead remains daunting. Even if England secures victories in the remaining matches, they can only reduce the series deficit to 10-6.

Despite the disappointing outcomes, Lewis remains hopeful about the future of his team, reiterating that they are still in a phase of development.

“This is an extremely challenging tour to compete and win,” Lewis stated. “Australia is an exceptional team, playing at home, and has been world-class for years. We have a group of cricketers who are developing.”

Lewis reaffirmed his dedication to his role, declaring, “I cherish this job and am devoted to enhancing the team’s performance.”