Wet weather might have sabotaged their preparation but the Australian women's cricket team have baulked at calling world No.1 England favourites for their Ashes series.
A day after showers ensured a tour match with Queensland Fire was called off without a ball being bowled, the Southern Stars' clash with a Cricket Australia XI was abandoned on Tuesday after 31 overs due to torrential rain in Brisbane.
They only have an intra-squad clash on Friday before coach Matthew Mott decides his line-up for the Ashes series opener, Sunday's first ODI at a sold-out Allan Border Field in Brisbane.
Allrounder Jess Jonassen admitted they had been frustrated by their rain-hit build-up.
"It is disappointing not getting a game because of the weather," said left-arm spinner Jonassen, who took 1-9 on Tuesday from five overs.
"The last few days, we have been cooped up indoors."
But Jonassen did not believe the frustrating build-up should relegate Australia to Ashes underdog status.
They appeared vulnerable ahead of the series after a shock 2017 World Cup semi-final loss to India.
They were hit with another blow when captain and world No.1 batter Meg Lanning was ruled out for the summer due to shoulder surgery.
However, when asked if World Cup champions England deserved to be called favourites, Jonassen said: "I wouldn't say favourites.
"They will obviously come in with a lot of confidence but we always have tight series against them whether they are world champions or not.
"But with them being the world No.1-ranked team, there is a little extra to play for."
Jonassen has fond Ashes memories.
She struck 99 and was named player of the match on Test debut, helping Australia to reclaim the women's Ashes in 2015.
"It was nice to play a part in the last Ashes series but that was a long time ago," Jonassen said.
"This will be a tough series but we look forward to it."
Mott said spots were up for grabs ahead of the Ashes opener, ensuring a bit more intensity in Friday's intra-squad clash.
"They will be raring to go. I don't envy the selectors at the moment, that's for sure," Jonassen said.
England's lead-up has also been hampered by the Brisbane wet.
Their tour match on Monday against a CA XI lasted just 18.1 overs.
They have scheduled a clash with Queensland Fire on Wednesday in Brisbane.
The women's Ashes winner is decided on a points system, with four points awarded for a Test win and two for a draw, and two points for victories in one-day and Twenty20 internationals.
Australia play three ODIs, a historic day-night Test at North Sydney Oval from November 9 and three T20s.
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