Friday 17 July 2015 13:58, UK
England skipper Charlotte Edwards has revealed her passion for the Women's Ashes series ahead of Monday's squad announcement.
With the men's series between England and Australia starting on July 8, the women begin their fight for the urn two weeks later.
Edwards will lead her English side in the multi-format series, which features three one-dayers, a Test and three Twenty20 matches, and starts with an ODI at Taunton on July 21.
England are looking to retain the Ashes after winning 10-8 on points Down Under in 2014 and Edwards agreed the event was the "pinnacle" for any cricketer.
The 35-year-old Kent captain, who made her international debut in 1996, told Sky Sports News HQ: "Any England and Australia battle you look forward to as a player.
"Along with World Cups. it's the pinnacle of our game and we're really looking forward to the next few weeks."
The men's Ashes has sometimes been clouded in incidents involving verbal insults known as 'sledging' between the Australia and England players.
Edwards was adamant that despite the fierce rivalry between the female teams, the players would be keeping their cool.
Edwards, who has played in a record 185 ODIs for her nation, amassing 5,812 runs, added: "We’ll be hoping to let the ball and bat do the talking.
"(Sledging) is part of the game but there's huge respect between the two teams and I think that’ll be kept on the field. This is a battle I'm really looking forward to and this one even more so."
On the back of the England women's football team shining at the World Cup in Canada – they secured third spot on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Germany – Edwards admitted their efforts had proved to be a huge inspiration for the game and women's sport in general.
"They've been unbelievable," she added. "It's their togetherness and they've inspired a naton and many more girls will now pick up a football. It's been great to follow their progress.
"Success breeds success though. We've had success over the last few years in cricket and it's made a big difference in our sport."
Watch Sky Sports News HQ on Monday to find out which players have been chosen for England's Ashes squad
Watch the women's Ashes series from July 21 on the dedicated Sky Sports Ashes channel
