Charlotte Edwards and Heather Knight believe England can deal with the pressure of professionalism during their tour of New Zealand, an eight-match series that begins an Ashes year.

England start with a one-day international in Mount Maunganui on Wednesday, the first of three before three Twenty20s and a further two ODIs during a busy February. The opening three fixtures carry extra significance as they count towards the ICC women’s championship.

England have a fully-fit squad for the tour, including the spinner Rebecca Grundy and the all-rounder Laura Marsh. Although the home Ashes series is looming, Edwards understands the need to perform well against New Zealand and start the year on a high.

“They’re a team I never underestimate because they’re very powerful,” the England captain said. “They have some world-class players but they are a team we have always been very successful against and I think it’s important we’re not complacent when we go out there. They’ve not had the best 12-18 months but that can be a dangerous time to play them and they’ve got a new coach.”

Asked if turning professional last year had increased expectations, Edwards said: “It does, absolutely. I think the first [Ashes] Test probably highlighted that more than anything. We knew there was a lot of media scrutiny around and, I’m not going to lie, it probably did have an impact.”

Knight, the vice-captain, said: “The girls are taking it in their stride, it’s something we’ve talked about as a squad and so far we’ve done really well. It’s part and parcel of being a professional sports person I guess.

“ New Zealand have been pretty successful at world events during the last three or four years so I think it will be a tough test. They have some new young players but also the match-winners such as Suzie Bates.”

Edwards and Knight spent the winter in Australia playing in the women’s National Cricket League – in Perth and Tasmania respectively – an experience they described as greatly beneficial.

Edwards captained Western Fury but it was not plain sailing for the Perth-based side during a campaign of “indifferent” form and she believes that has improved her leadership skills.

The 35-year-old said: “The cricket was challenging because I was in a team who weren’t particularly successful. I’m not used to not being successful so it challenged me and my leadership.

“I just feel a better captain and a better cricketer. It’s always tough playing in a team where you’re expected to do well. Every game felt like an international. It was a good environment to be in, training at the Waca and being around the Perth Scorchers.

“Justin Langer [now the Western Australia and Scorchers’ coach] was fantastic in letting me be involved in some of their preparation. I think I’ve brought a lot back, not just for my cricket but also for England. I’m sure Heather will be exactly the same.”

England won against Australia in the 2014 women’s Ashes but were defeated in the Twenty20 World Cup final in Bangladesh. Knight is hoping England’s batting unit can produce more consistent displays and rely less on Edwards and Sarah Taylor.

“On occasions we have relied too heavily on Charlotte scoring the majority of our runs and Sarah coming in at three as well. As a batting unit the rest of us really want to contribute. We feel like we’re in a good place and hopefully post a few good totals,” Knight said. “In that World Cup I think we had a good campaign but underperformed in the final. We got quite a lot of stick for not hitting many sixes compared to other nations. It is something we have gone away and worked on, and something we have definitely improved in.

“I have learned to play my natural game but a little bit quicker, rather than thinking you have to go big straight away you have time to accelerate and catch up with boundaries at the back end of your innings.”

Ends

England women’s tour of New Zealand

First ODI 11 Feb, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

Second ODI 13 Feb, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

Third ODI 15 Feb, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

First Twenty20 19 Feb, Cobham Oval, Whangarei

Second T20 20 Feb, Cobham Oval, Whangarei

Third T20 24 Feb, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln

Fourth ODI 26 Feb, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln

Fifth ODI 28 Feb, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln