Australia heads into the seven-match series starting in Brisbane on Sunday from the unfamiliar position of second in the international rankings, a rung they slipped to after their disappointing World Cup semi-final exit to India.

Mott's team is still favoured to retain their Ashes title on home soil, even without injured captain Meg Lanning, although they face a rejuvenated England side brimming with confidence and determined to land another telling blow on their biggest rival.

"Whoever wins this series can quite rightfully say they are No.1 in the world," Mott said. "Regardless of whether we are No.1 coming into the series or not, after the series I think whoever wins it's got that claim.

"The fact that England won the World Cup, they deservedly got over the top of us in those rankings and we're pretty open to admitting that that's a big statement from them to win the World Cup.

"They jumped us only slightly. This is a perfect opportunity not long after that in a seven-match series where there'll be no excuses.

"It's all on the line, and potentially you can have a bad game and bounce back. We probably didn't get that opportunity over in the World Cup, but this is different."

England beat Australia in a three-run thriller in their World Cup clash before going on to beat India at Lord's to claim a fourth world crown.

The failings at that tournament have forced Australia to consider structural changes, and Mott believes his best team for the Ashes will be made up of six genuine bowling options.

One of those will be all-rounder Ellyse Perry, who can open the bowling with her pace but who's runs will also be crucial in covering Lanning's absence.

Mott will consider sticking with the three-pronged spin attack he favoured at the World Cup, but is more likely to select a second pace option alongside Megan Schutt, be that Lauren Cheatle or all-rounder Tahlia McGrath.

A final decision on the make-up of his Ashes team won't be made until the toss on Sunday morning.

"One thing we're keen on is having six bowling options, so that puts pressure on balance in terms of the line-up," Mott said.

"That's probably the overwhelming thing we took away from the World Cup, we just need that extra option just in case someone comes at us really hard, we need that ability to adapt and have that other option there.

"We'll probably leave our options open even on the game day, there's a bit of rain predicted Saturday, there's every chance it could be a shortened match.

"They've come up with their own particular plans for each [English] player and they're committed to that. That's a big step in the right direction for our bowling unit, there's a real ownership and buy-in.

"They learned a lot of things at the World Cup, I don't think we've been challenged like that before.

"There was a couple of examples of where players really forced themselves on our bowling unit. You'll see a much quicker response if someone comes hard at us [during the Ashes]. All the little things we talk about, eventually getting the dominant player off strike, will come to the fore."

WOMEN'S ASHES FIXTURES

??? First ODI October 22, Allan Border Field
??? Second ODI October 26, Coffs International Stadium
??? Third ODI October 29, Coffs International Stadium

??? Test November 9-12, North Sydney Oval

??? First T20 November 17, North Sydney Oval
??? Second T20 November 19, Manuka Oval
??? Third T20 November 21, Manuka Oval