Whether England wants to admit it or not, it has something to prove.
Just over a month after their disaster Elimination from the group stage After the Women's T20 World Cup, Heather Knight's side are in South Africa for a multi-format series, followed by the Women's Ashes in Australia in January.
The first of three T20s begins on Sunday (12:00 GMT), followed by three one-day internationals and a four-day Test starting on December 15.
It is a quick turnaround after such a disappointing World Cup season but seamer Kate Cross, who is in the ODI and Test squad, believes England will benefit from it.
“Years ago, if you got knocked out of a World Cup, you had to wait until the summer to play cricket again and prove yourself,” Cross said on the BBC’s No Balls podcast.
“But I feel like cricket was back on our horizon so quickly after that, against the team that lost the final. So we know we have the chance to compete with a really strong team on their own terms and they are right back in the fight.
The aftermath of the World Cup was perhaps the toughest an England women's team has ever faced and is a stark reminder of the increased scrutiny and expectation that comes with the privilege of being a professional athlete.
The team's Fitness was questioned, alongside her off-field activities and social media presence.
Knight and head coach Jon Lewis rejected the allegations and understandably defended their team, but also recognized the need to improve in moments of pressure – even though they have been saying that for almost two years.
Against South Africa, finalists in this World Cup, England have a chance to change that perception before they end up in the Ashes pressure cooker.
