Edwards Confident Of Ashes Glory

Charlotte Edwards is confident that her team can retain the Ashes

©Action Images / Henry Browne Livepic

England Women head to Worcester with hopes of repeating the success they achieved there four years ago to retain the Ashes in the Test match that begins tomorrow.

England have been the dominant force in women’s cricket over the recent past with them brushing aside all comers to become world champions in both the fifty and twenty over formats. They also claimed a 4-0 victory in the recent One Day International series against Australia and only rain could prevent them from completing a series whitewash.

Captain Charlotte Edwards is hopeful that her team can continue their fantastic form and defend their Ashes crown:

“We are really looking forward to the npower Ashes Test. If it is anything like the 2008 Ashes in Bowral we are in for a great four days of cricket."

The Head of England Women’s Cricket Clare Connor was also confident of England retaining the Ashes this year:

"We are thrilled to be back in Worcester for our defence of the npower Ashes. The memories of regaining the Ashes at Worcester in 2005, after a forty two year wait, are still very powerful for many of the players who played in that dramatic series.

“I am sure the players will be buoyed by those memories as they return to New Road on Friday.”

England will have the same squad available to them who became double world champions and they will be looking to number one batter in the world Claire Taylor to recreate the form that she showed in both recent tournaments to lead them to another victory.

Australia, on the other hand, will be looking to try and stop the England juggernaut, and will hope that captain Jodie Fields can get the best out of her experienced players of Lisa Sthalekar, Shelley Nitchske and Karen Rolton to stand any chance of beating England to take the Ashes home with them.

Peter Exley

© Cricket World 2009

Get the latest from Cricket World® with Facebook, twitter and YouTube.