Big Bash experience can help England's final cause

The Ashes opponents will meet in Delhi in today’s World Twenty20 semi-final and, while there will be no prisoners taken in the heat of battle, the advent of the Women’s Big Bash League has shifted the dynamic.

Edwards joined team-mates Sarah Taylor, Heather Knight, Danni Wyatt, Nat Sciver and Katherine Brunt as an overseas player in the inaugural T20 competition Down Under last year, with England and Australia players joining forces for the first time.

“We’re frenemies now,” said Edwards. “Both teams know a lot about each other. There’s no hidden secrets so it’s all about who plays best.

“It’s been brilliant to go out and play in Australia with a lot of the Australia girls and we’ve gained a lot from that experience.

“Our girls performed brilliantly out there so they are going in very confident.”

Edwards’ opposite number Meg Lanning, who captained Sciver at the Melbourne Stars, added: “With the WBBL, we played alongside a few of their girls as well so that adds another dimension, I guess, but once we walk over that white line, that’s where the battle really starts.

“We’re looking forward to taking them on and we’ll be on the front foot. When you come up against them on the field, once you step out there, you’re not friends any more.”

England go into the game as underdogs despite being unbeaten in the competition and are looking to reverse a period of Australian dominance.

The Southern Stars have won the past three World T20s, while Edwards’s side last collected silverware in 2009.

They are hoping to end that drought under the guidance of Mark Robinson, the former Sussex coach and Yorkshire seam bowler whose influence is already being felt among the squad.

“Robbo has come in and he’s got his own take on women’s cricket,” said Edwards, who is joint top-scorer in the event with 171 runs. “We are a talented squad and we’ve been in last two World Cup finals so let’s hope it’s third time lucky.

“We certainly have the hunger to get there but will have to play very very well.”