ENGLAND Women’s cricket captain Charlotte Edwards has said there is no better place to get their Ashes bid back on track than at the Essex County Ground.

The England women have been second best to their Australian counterparts throughout the series, trailing 3-1 with just three Twenty20 matches to play.

The format means the Ashes is decided over seven matches – three one day internationals, one test match and three T20 internationals – with England 8-2 behind ahead of the three final games, and needing three victories to retain the urn.

But Edwards is confident the County Ground is the ideal venue to close the gap, having never lost an international to any side at what she affectionately dubbed “fortress Chelmsford”.

“We can keep this alive,” said the 35-year-old Kent batter. “This is a massive game and this is exactly where we would want to play it. There is always a fantastic crowd at this ground and we want to continue our unbeaten record here.

“We just need the weather to brighten up and it looks as though it will get a big better as the week goes on. But we believe we can turn this around. We want to put more pressure on the Australians and in front of such a big crowd we are confident we can do that.

“The levels of support we have received here in the past have been incredible and long may that continue. To play in front of thousands of people here is a massive lift and the girls always remember the nights at Chelmsford.

“We have had some of our best memories here. Coming back to win would be a huge lift for English women’s cricket. We want to see bigger crowds across the country so putting in a good show in front of a sell-out crowd is really important.”

England beat Australia by 15 runs the last time they met at the County Ground in 2013, and they have added reinforcements ahead of the match, with spin bowlers Danielle Hazell, the top-ranked women’s T20 bowler, and Danielle Wyatt coming into the attack.

Following the humbling at Canterbury, in which England lost the only Test match in the series by 161 runs, Edwards says it was time to make changes.

“Both Danielles are experienced at this level and offer a lot in such a significant match,” she said. “We will be ready.”

 

Echo:

Meg Lanning - Aussie captain

AUSTRALIA have come to Chelmsford for nothing less than to win the Ashes, said their captain Meg Lanning.

The Southern Stars have been in imperious form in this summer’s Ashes series, winning three of the four matches so far to take a commanding lead heading into the clash at the Essex County Ground.

And with just a win in the first Twenty20 international required to win back the urn, Lanning has backed her side to rise to the occasion, albeit in front of a sell-out crowd.

“We have a whole side to pick from and have got ourselves into a good position,” she said. “We have played well so far but we know the crowd will be right behind England, hoping they can bounce back.

“The one-day series was a really hard-fought battle for us and we need to be on our game to get the result. You need to be consistent and if England play well over the course of these three games, they will deserve to win the series.

“We have come to Chelmsford to win the series.”

“I have played here once before,” she added. “Not many of the girls have played here but it’s a lovely ground and it plays nicely. Hopefully the rain will stay away and we can get a full game in.

“Last time we played here it was a great atmosphere and it was a sell out. It could be a high scoring game as it is a small boundary and it suits our style a lot. We are naturally aggressive in this format and we will attack the game.”

 

HOW IT WORKS: Whereas the England v Australia mens Ashes series is decided over five test matches, the women’s competition works slightly differently.

The outcome is decided on a points system, where an accumulated total from ODI, T20 and a test match decides the winner. Four points are awarded for a test win, two points for a Twenty20 or One-Day International win, and two points each for a draw.

 

HOW THINGS STAND

First ODI: England win by four wickets

Second ODI: Australia win by 63 runs

Third ODI: Australia win by 89 runs

Test: Australia win by 161 runs

Australia lead series 8-2.

 

HOW CAN I WATCH IT?

Unfortunately, if you haven’t got a ticket for tonight’s game already then you are out of luck as the match is now a complete sell-out.

However, you can watch the game live on the Sky Sports Ashes channel from 6.30pm.