England promise aggression after wake-up call

Ebony Rainford-Brent, one of England's standby players for the Ashes trip, says the team are heading Down Under with more aggression after being shocked by the pace of the game's development. England have been training at Loughborough over the winter, and will come out with a plan to be really positive.

"We're looking a lot more aggressive, a lot more attacking," she told Surrey Cricket. "Australia and the Kiwis are really aggressive, they'll bowl bouncers and hit over the top. The women's game is coming on really quickly and I think that was a bit of a wake-up call for us as well.

"We had to put our foot down and get more aggressive. We're all really fired up. The girls are bowling well, really on top of it. The girls are feeling good, the coaches are feeling good. We're ready to get off the bowling machines and get onto the grass."

Rainford-Brent would love to join them in February if she gets the call-up as she is fighting fit at the moment. She has been playing as a batsman because of a serious back injury, but it has not affected her recently, and she feels strong. In fact, the problem has had an unexpected benefit: improved batting as she has been concentrating hard on that discipline.

"The winter's been really good. I've not been bowling, so I've had long words with the coaches what I need to achieve as a batter. I think I'm coming on and understanding my game. I've not had any problems at all [with my back]. I've been doing loads of gym work. I've not had any problems, feeling really strong."

But whether she's part of the action or not, she can sense a real momentum with England at the moment. "Hopefully we will have a good series and hopefully retain the Ashes. We want to hold on to that. We need to hit the ground running. We really want it. It's the first time we can feel we've got the upper hand. If we win out there it would be an amazing win."

Meanwhile, the women's squad has had a boost with the news that British fashion designer Paul Costelloe will supply their official formal wear. For formal occasions a suit with white trim and the ECB logo embroidered onto the left breast pocket will be complemented by a white cotton shirt. For more casual occasions, navy blue linen trousers have been chosen to be worn with a navy and white striped top.

A white linen jacket completes the look. England women's captain Charlotte Edwards commented: "It's fantastic. The whole look gives us an identity as a team and both outfits are of really high quality."