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England women’s cricket team launched their new season with a unique cricket match on the top deck of a Dover to Calais SeaFrance ferry yesterday.

They play two one-day internationals against West Indies on July 11 and 12 at Loughborough University, followed by two NatWest Women’s Series against South Africa and India, as well as four NatWest Women’s International Twenty20s against the same opponents.

The series against South Africa starts on August 6 at the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury.

This summer is the start of busy 13 months for the women, including the ICC Women’s World Cup in Australia in February and March 2009 and the inaugural ICC Women’s World Twenty20 in England next June.

Following that will be another Ashes series, which England will be hoping to retain after their fantastic victory in Australia earlier this year.

Charlotte Edwards, England captain, said: “This summer is going to be tough for the players with 16 internationals to play in just under two months, but we’re all really excited and can’t wait for it to get started, particularly as it signals the start of a massive year for us all with two global tournaments and then another Ashes series."

*Click here to hear more from England captain Charlotte Edwards*