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Heather Knight says missed chances cost England against Australia in Ashes ODI

Image: Meg Lanning sweeps to the boundary en route to scoring 104

England vice-captain Heather Knight felt England paid the price for not capitalising on opportunities to dismiss Australia skipper Meg Lanning in Thursday's defeat in the second Women's Ashes one-day international.

Lanning laid the foundations for a series-levelling win in Bristol, smashing 104 from 98 balls as Australia set England a record target of 260 runs for victory.

After dropping Lanning twice during her innings, England came up 63 runs short in their run chase despite scores of 58 from skipper Charlotte Edwards and 43 from Sarah Taylor.

"You have to take your half-chances against her and she gave a few and we didn't take them," Knight said. "She made us pay and she batted very well.

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"As a top order all three of us got starts. Ideally, if we wanted to win the game, one of us would have gone and got a big score as Meg did for them.

"You want to score big hundreds so it's disappointing a few of us got starts and didn't go on. We started well and seemed to be cruising at one point but those wickets in the middle cost us."

We started well and seemed to be cruising at one point but those wickets in the middle cost us.
Heather Knight

Lanning, who ran Knight out on 38 with a direct hit, was delighted she could make a meaningful contribution after being dismissed for nought in the first ODI on Tuesday.

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"I thought we did a good job with the bat and it was nice to get a big score after not getting any at Taunton," said Lanning.

"It's nice to have got a win after that first game."

Watch the Women’s Ashes, which continues with the third ODI from 10:25am on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Ashes.