This summer’s ICC Women’s World Cup is England’s to lose, according to legendary captain Charlotte Edwards, who insists the team have both the form and the desire to clinch victory come July.

Edwards, who skippered the national side for a decade before retiring last year, lifted the trophy in 2009 when England were victorious in Australia, their third title win since triumphing in the inaugural tournament 36 years previously.

And home soil has certainly proved advantageous for England’s women, having never lost the tournament on the two previous occasions it has come to Blighty, and Heather Knight’s side will be keen not to spoil the record set by their predecessors. 

They kick off their pursuit of the trophy at Derby’s County Ground on June 24, facing an Indian side whom they defeated by two wickets in their last meeting in 2016.

Lord’s will be the scene for the showcase final on July 23, and with star wicketkeeper-batsman Sarah Taylor recently making her return to the squad following an extended break, Edwards sees no reason why they can’t make it three from three on English shores.

“The team have had a really good build-up to the World Cup. They won last year against Pakistan and then they went to Sri Lanka and the West Indies and won there,” she said.

“The only thing is that they haven’t played Australia or New Zealand, so they won’t quite know where they’re at, but what they have got is that they are playing with a lot of confidence, which is always good going into a World Cup.

“I think on home soil, with home support, the girls will be chomping at the bit to get to Derby on June 24.

“England can do it. They’re going to have to play well, any team that is going to win this competition is going to have to play well, but England will believe they can do it.

“They’ve beaten all the big teams over the last few years and it will be an amazing moment if they manage to lift the trophy at Lord’s.”

Edwards, who amassed 220 caps during a 20-year international career, was recently named ambassador for the tournament, which will be staged in Taunton, Bristol, Derby and Leicester before concluding in the capital.

Currently travelling around the country with the Nissan Trophy Tour, the 37-year-old is confident it will prove to be a catalyst for the next generation of cricketing stars to pick up a bat for the first time.

And with many of the world’s best players set to descend on Britain this summer, Edwards insists it will mark a new era for the women’s game.

“I think it’s such an important summer for cricket and for women’s cricket in this country and globally,” she said. 

“I think this tournament can do so much for women’s cricket and hopefully the cricket will be just as good as everyone is expecting.

“You can’t underestimate how much having this tournament can do for cricket in this country. I was inspired by the 1993 World Cup win when England won, and was part of the 2009 win here, so I realised what an impact it can have.

“Lifting the trophy in 2009 was emotional. We won [the World Cup] in Sydney and then to come back three months later and win the World Twenty20 at home, lifting that trophy at Lord’s was one of my proudest moments.

“I am absolutely certain it will be the best World Cup we have ever seen. I think it will be the closest and I think every team coming here has performed well.

“Every team has beaten each other on their day and it’s certainly the closest World Cup we will have seen. I just can’t wait for it to start and watch some unbelievable players coming from all over the world.”

The ICC Women’s World Cup 24 June – 23 July will see the best women’s ODI teams in the world compete for ultimate glory this summer. Tickets available at icc-cricket.com/tickets