The Canberra fixture is virtually a must-win for England, given an Australia victory would secure the Ashes for the hosts and a draw would leave the tourists needing to win all three ODIs.

In contrast a win for England would keep them well in the series, needing only a 2-1 victory in the 50-over matches.

Not helping their cause is the fact that of the 142 women's Tests played, 91 have ended in a draw.

A lack of red-ball cricket and the four-day timeframe is often pinned as reasons for the lack of results, while wet weather in Canberra also shapes as harder to overcome with no fifth day.

England are therefore well aware they must win the fixture, hoping to bowl first and set up a chase to go hard at a target on the final day in a bit get a win.

"We've spoken about we have to make sure we had the right to be aggressive," Knight said.

"I think by trying to win that first session, win that first day and setting up the game (we can do that).

"We can't obviously go out too hard.

"We want to try and be aggressive, but we have to earn the right to do that if we bat scoring big first-innings runs.

"Or if we bowl it's being really disciplined ... Obviously you want to take wickets, but sometimes you search too much for them."

England have won just one Test in the past 13 years, drawing five and losing three.

As yet they haven't had a chance to properly measure up against Australia in this series, losing the first T20 after a record chase by the hosts and having the following two washed out.

Meanwhile Knight confirmed there is some injury concern around Anya Shrubsole, who hurt her ankle while on England A duties.

Shrubsole did not play in the Twenty20s, but the strong exponent of swing-bowling remains part of the tourists' best XI in both one-day and Test cricket.

Lauren Bell has been called into their top squad as cover this week.

Australian Associated Press