Women's Ashes 2019: All you need to know

The Cricketer previews the start of the Women's Ashes as Australia bid to retain the trophy they have held since 2015

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The Women's Ashes begins tomorrow, with England taking on Australia at Leicester in the first match of the seven-game multi-format series.

What is the competition?

The Women's Ashes is the series between England and Australia, comprising three T20Is, three ODIs and a solitary Test match. Australia currently hold the trophy. Engand have not won the series since winning in Australia at the start of 2014.

When does it take place?

The seven-match contest takes place through July, beginning on July 2 at Leicester and ending on July 31 at Bristol.

Grace Road will host the first two ODIs, before the two best women's sides in the world move down to Canterbury for the final 50-over clash.

Two first-class warm-up matches will follow, with England Academy Women facing Australia at Marlborough College, while England face Australia A at Millfield School in three-day affairs.

The series then hits Taunton, the official home of England Women's cricket. At Somerset's home, the teams will play out the sole Test match - the four-day fulcrum of the series. There are more points up for grabs for a win in that one. Since the series became determined by a points system, the side that has won the Test has never not won the series.

The seven-match marathon ends with three T20Is, all played within a five-day period. The first is a day-nighter at Chelmsford, before Hove and Bristol host the final two games.

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Can England win back the Ashes?

Who is involved?

Both sides have picked their squads; England have selected a 14-player party for the first ODI.

England squad: Heather Knight (capt), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Jenny Gunn, Amy Jones, Laura Marsh, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor, Fran Wilson, Danni Wyatt

Australia, meanwhile, have selected 14 players for the tour, with Australia A also in England.

Australia Squad: Meg Lanning (capt), Rachael Haynes, Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

What’s the format?

The contest's format is fairly unique, with its objective focused on giving fair weight to all seven games.

The Women's Ashes is decided by the results across all formats.

Teams earn four points for a win and two for a draw in the Test, with two points awarded for a win in all limited-overs games.

The points system has been in place since 2013. Before then, the destination of the Women's Ashes was dependent on Test results.

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Australia retained the Women's Ashes after drawing the most recent series

How can I follow it?

The Women's Ashes can be followed on TV via Sky Sports Cricket HD (Sky channel 404) and Sky Sports Main Event (Sky channel 401).

Tuesday, July 2
First Women's Ashes ODI - Fischer County Ground, Leicester

Thursday, July 4
Second Women's Ashes ODI - Fischer County Ground, Leicester

Sunday, July 7
Third Women's Ashes ODI - The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury

Thursday, July 18 - Sunday, July 21
Women's Ashes Test - Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton

Friday, July 26
First Women's Ashes IT20 - The Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford

Sunday, July 28
Second Women's Ashes IT20 - The 1st Central County Ground, Hove

Wednesday, July 31
Third Women's Ashes IT20 - The Brightside Ground, Bristol

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Heather Knight will be hoping to win the Women's Ashes series as captain for the first time

Who is the favourite?

Australia have held the Women's Ashes since 2015, when Meg Lanning's side defeated Charlotte Edwards' England team on UK soil. However, much has changed in the time since. While Australia retained the Ashes after drawing in late 2017, it was a result that gave England some confidence.

However, this is a case of 50-over world champions against T20 world champions. Much could depend on the Test - the most recent intalment was drawn, but England have not come out on top in the four-dayer since 2014.

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