England wicketkeeper Amy Jones says the team’s “best cricket is yet to come” as they prepare to salvage some pride from the remainder of the Women’s Ashes.

Australia retained the Ashes at the earliest opportunity with a thumping 57-run win in the first T20 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which handed them an unassailable 8-0 lead in the points-based series.

Each white-ball match is worth two points and the hosts won the preceding one-day international series 3-0, with the second of three T20s taking place in Canberra on Thursday at 08:40 GMT.

Jones acknowledged the disappointment felt by the team and the fans, but remains confident that England can win the remaining matches to finish the series with a draw.

“We still feel positive that we can put on a show and entertain and inspire you all,” Jones told BBC Sport.

“There’s been many moments where we could have won different games, which I guess makes it all the more frustrating.

“But we can absolutely draw from here. Our best cricket is yet to come and we’re all really excited about that.”

Jones reaffirmed England captain Heather Knight’s view that they are “not far off” beating Australia despite particularly heavy defeats in the most recent matches.

She also responded to criticism that the side have faced since the defeat in Sydney, after it emerged that spinner Sophie Ecclestone refused a television interview with pundit and former player Alex Hartley.

Hartley had questioned the fitness of some England players following the Women’s T20 World Cup in the autumn, which both coach Jon Lewis and captain Heather Knight denied was a problem.

“I can only speak for myself, but I just don’t like to look at it (the media), because I know that it could get to me and therefore it doesn’t serve me,” Jones said.

“It’s their job to criticise, and of course it has an important purpose in growing the sport, but I don’t think I need the outside noise.”