By Owen Phillips

This might be my last overseas tour and I'm just going to enjoy every minute of it Jane Smit

Veteran wicket-keeper Jane Smit believes England must play without fear on their hectic six-week tour of Australia and New Zealand.

She says the team are in great shape to defend the women's Ashes in a one-off Test next month and prove themselves against the best sides in the world.

But Smit told BBC Sport "positive cricket" will be the key to success.

"We have to hit over the top and take the game to them when we bat and bowl," the 35-year-old said.

"Obviously it will be a very difficult tour. Australia are still the best team in the world but we are going there looking to win the series.

"NZ will be tough too. They are a good side and we had a really great series with them last summer."

England flew out to Australia on Monday where they face three warm-up games, the first against the Victoria state side on Friday, before the serious work starts.

Their schedule is a gruelling one but Smit says the squad have had ideal preparation and is relishing the chance, in particular, to face the Aussies again.

England in Australia 1 Feb, Twenty20, Melbourne 3 Feb, ODI, Melbourne 4 Feb, ODI, Melbourne 7 Feb, ODI, Sydney 10 Feb, ODI, Sydney 11 Feb, ODI, Sydney Feb 15-18, Test match, Bowral

"It's a great opportunity for us all. We have trained really hard all over the winter. Once a month we've had training camp get-togethers and the girls have been meeting up in smaller groups as well where we've covered everything. It's been very involved."

Smit, a survivor of England's World Cup winning team of 1993, says the professionalism and camaraderie is better now than it has ever been.

"We've had a great team spirit for the last two or three years and it really helps.

"It's also an advantage that Jenny Gunn, Isa Guha, Lydia Greenway and Beth Morgan have all been playing in Sydney and Charlotte Russell has been in New Zealand."

Sara's only 18 and she is an awesome prospect. If she fires she could have an amazing tour Smit on Sara Taylor

Smit is also expecting big things from two of the squad's teenagers - keeper/batter Sarah Taylor and spin bowler Holly Colvin.

"Sarah is only 18 and she is an awesome prospect. If she fires she could have an amazing tour and can take the game away from the Aussies and the Kiwis.

"And Holly could really come into her own. Some girls find it hard to play against spin as they don't get that much practice," she said.

Smit, who lives in Ilkeston and plays her club cricket for Thrumpton, is also feeling confident on a personal level.

She said: "I've been working really hard on my batting looking to get my game going. I've spent lots of hours on the bowling machine and also have to maintain my standards with the keeping."

But Smit insists there will be no constant chipping away from behind the stumps. She's says the mind games and verbals which play such a big part in the men's game are not for her.

JANE SMIT'S RECORD Born: 24/12/1972 England ODI appearances: 109 Highest ODI score: 91 ODI catches: 69 ODI stumpings: 45 England Test appearances: 21 Highest Test score: 69 Test catches: 39 Test stumpings: 4

"I'm not a sledger. I concentrate on my own game, stay focused and positive and try to encourage the girls. Being nasty is not really me," she explained.

Smit, who made her England debut in 1992, admits combining her training with a five-day-a-week part-time job in finance is becoming increasingly difficult and says this tour could be her last.

"It's my 16th year and I've got to the stage where I have to think about my future, whether I retire or am dropped," she said.

"This might be my last overseas tour and I'm just going to enjoy every minute of it. I've not made a decision yet but will give it some thought when I return. It's not forever."