England Look to Add Test Glory to Their Limited-overs Achievements

England are hot favorites to triumph in their Test match this week. We are, of course, referring to the women, who begin their solitary four-day Test match against Australia on Friday at Worcester.

Charlotte Edwards' side hold the Ashes, just as they hold every trophy worth having in the women's game. They have already secured the one day-series (50 overs) against the Aussies after three consecutive victories last week – two at Chelmsford and one at Stratford-upon-Avon. This was the first time that they have won a one-day series against their arch rivals since 1976. "To me this is as special as our two World Cup wins," said Edwards.

The head of England women's cricket is the former captain Clare Connor, not a person usually given to hyperbole. She has been unstinting in her praise of the women's achievements over the last 12 months. "The performances of this world-class England team continue to impress all who watch them," she said after their latest victory. "Their drive and hunger for even more success after winning both the ICC World Cup in March and the ICC Twenty20 World Cup last month has overwhelmed us all. I am proud of every squad member and of an exceptional management team led by head coach, Mark Lane. This surely is one of the greatest teams this country has ever produced in any sport." No pressure, then, when they take on the Aussies again.

A Test match is something of a rarity in the women's game so there are no four-day/one-day specialists in the England set-up. All the names that started to become so familiar during the recent Twenty20 World Cup will be at Worcester including their inspirational captain, Edwards, who has returned from injury. Entry is free so if a ticket for Cardiff is proving elusive.