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 on Wednesday night.

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 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 bit 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.”

Wednesday's match at the County Ground starts at 7pm.