Heather Knight: "We have not become a bad side"

Australia retained the Ashes with two matches to spare, as England became the first side to lose the multi-format series without a win since its inception in 2013

Heather Knight insists England have not become a bad side, after crashing to a heavy Ashes series loss.

Knight's side fell to a third ODI defeat against Australia to bring the Ashes tour to a close, but the England captain was adamant that the result will not define her team.

Australia retained the Ashes with two matches to spare, as England became the first side to lose the multi-format series without a win since its inception in 2013.

Knight said: "We haven't become a bad side, we will go again and go again for the World Cup.

^{Heather Knight's England lost the Ashes series 12-4 (Mark Evans/Getty Images)}

"The way we started the series with the bat was outstanding. We will be a bit frustrated there were a few opportunities missed.

"It has been a really good series, especially the start of the Test match and a few really tight games where we went toe-to-toe with Australia.

"But we couldn’t win those big moments and be ruthless in finishing off games."

Following a nine-wicket loss in the only completed T20 match of the series -  the other two were lost to rain in Adelaide - England bounced back to draw the one-off Test match in dramatic fashion.

But after heavy defeats in the final two ODIs, Knight suggested her side were mentally fatigued.

^{England need to regroup ahead of the World Cup next month (Mark Evans/Getty Images)}

England managed only 129 and 163 in their last two matches, with Australia chasing down the totals with more than 80 balls to spare on both occasions.

Knight said: "Mentally, we found it hard to stay up with the Ashes already gone.

"But I believe we can beat Australia on our day, if we get our batting and bowling together, be a little bit more ruthless.

Knight's England have now lost six consecutive ODIs against Australia.

But they will soon get a chance for revenge in their opening game of the World Cup, as England face Australia in their first group game on Saturday, March 5.