Women's Ashes 'steps forward'

Lane hopes the changes will lead to a full Test series in the future (Getty)

The women's Ashes begin on Sunday with a new multi-format structure and Mark Lane, who coached England until earlier this year, calls the changes a "really good step forward".

Instead of being decided by a single four-day Test, England and Australia will compete for the Ashes in three one-day internationals and three T20 games as well. A win in the Test is worth six points, with each limited-overs game worth two.

It is hoped that the expansion of the competition will produce a fairer result than relying solely on one Test, where the influence of unpredictable factors that make Test cricket so unique can also make it unbalanced.

This was the case in 2009 when heavy rain disrupted the contest and England retained the Ashes after the match at Worcester ended in a draw.

Lane hopes the changes will lead to a full Test series in the future.