‘We need to keep getting better to stay ahead of the game and teams are chasing us’ - Meg Lanning opens up on plans ahead of Ashes 2023

England youngster Issy Wong started the pre-Ashes war of words by calling out Australia and implying that the Meg Lanning-led side might not be as dangerous as they were five years ago. Replying to Wong, the Australia skipper lauded England’s new approach in Test cricket but reminded that they are still the number one ranked team in the world. 

Lanning added that the team is constantly working to get better and to stay ahead of the game and from all the other teams. She also mentioned that it’s a great opportunity for the visitors to assess and check their growth in the longest format of the game.

“There's a really good vibe around the squad and certainly wanting to keep pushing to have more success. I haven't sensed anything that shows that we're sort of sitting and waiting. We know that we need to keep getting better to stay ahead of the game and teams are chasing us. So the Ashes would be a really good early look at what that might be,” Lanning was quoted as saying by The West Australian.

Always nice and enjoyable to win games but it's really challenging to try and stay there: Jess Jonassen

One of the most dependable players in the Australia set-up, Jess Jonassen added that it’s nice to win the majority number of games and climb to the top of the table but it’s really hard to retain the position. She also welcomed the idea of playing a Test match in Indian conditions later in the year and stated that it would be a completely different experience for everyone in the team.

“It's always nice and enjoyable to win games and be out the front, but it's really challenging to try and stay there,” Jess said

"Each season or each year adds something extra that you're really looking forward to," Jonassen said. For us last year it was the Commonwealth Games. And this year, it's that idea of playing a Test match in India. Being over there in India over that Christmas/New Year period will be different for us. We're normally back here in Australia on home soil so that will be another added challenge but one I know our team is really looking forward to,” she added.