Heather Knight is delighted to have put her injury woes to one side by striking a fine century in England Women’s sole Ashes warm-up game.
Knight was a key component of the side that overcame the old enemy last summer, striking a century in the Test of what was the maiden series featuring a multiple-format points system.
She suffered a torn hamstring towards the end of the rubber and subsequently missed the tour of the West Indies.
However, Knight is back in the fold now and basking in a dream start – her 123 led England to 362 for six on day one against a home A side – ahead of the four-day encounter versus Australia, which begins on Friday.
“It has been a long four months with my hamstring injury,” she told ecb.co.uk. “It was really nice to get out there, get runs under my belt and, more importantly, time in the middle.
“I love playing Test matches. It is great to get out there and have a bit of time to bat and see the ball coming on.
“It’s really enjoyable to get out there and back into whites.”
While the warm-up game is of the utmost importance for now, the real challenge awaits in the coming days.
Knight added: “Playing at the WACA is going to be great. I played a few ODIs there a few years ago and I enjoyed it.
“I got my best ODI score there. I look forward to getting out there, the ball coming on a bit better and the challenge of taking on their quick bowlers.
“Today has been really good preparation with a lot of batters getting runs. We’re really pleased with how it has gone.”
Skipper Charlotte Edwards, who struck 77 and put on 135 for the first wicket with Knight, was equally delighted.
She said: “It is really pleasing to start the tour so well and for the team to be in the position we’re in, is even more pleasing.
“It is a great pitch, quick outfield and it is a good place to be batting. I really enjoyed my time out in the middle.
“It’s brilliant (to have Heather back). She has worked so hard to get back following quite a serious injury and I am really pleased for her.”
Click here for images of day one.
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