England women inspired by Hussain lead

Nasser Hussain's success in Pakistan has given England's women a massive boost ahead of their campaign to recapture the CricInfo Women's World Cup in December.

The manner of their five wicket victory over Pakistan in the first one-day international in Karachi was truly inspiring, said all-rounder Charlotte Edwards.

"I watched it and as soon as it finished rang my skipper Clare Connor straight away to talk about it. Coming back from 13 for two showed great spirit and we are hoping we can show the same sort of character in New Zealand."

Edwards, who today sets off for a team building week in Snowdonia with the rest of England's 14-strong squad for the CricInfo Women's World Cup, believes the relationship between Hussain and his team has been crucial in turning England into a winning unit.

"All the players are right behind him and have real respect for him after what he went through last summer with his form. It is the same with the women's side - Clare Connor took over last winter and although a few weren't sure about it, the whole team is more behind her than they have ever been behind a captain. She commands a lot of respect," Edwards revealed.

Over the next few days, the squad, coached by Paul Farbrace will be doing outward bound activities as a means of getting to know each other better. This follows a programme of intensive training which has seen the 20 year-old Edwards in the gym near her home in Huntingdon every day, working on her strength and fitness.

"The lottery grant has meant I have been able to give up work over the last six weeks and concentrate on getting fit. I had a knee injury two months ago so have been on the bike and using weights and now it is OK, have gone back to running. I think I am fitter now than I have ever been."

With fond memories of her last World Cup in 1997 when she made an unbeaten 173 against Ireland, Edwards is eagerly looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead when the tournament gets underway in Christchurch on November 29.

Both she and England have made significant improvements to their game in the past few months and she is optimistic the hard work will pay dividends.

"I feel confident and am really looking forward to playing against the best in the world. I hope it will get the best out of me, out of all of us.

"Both Barbara Daniels and I will have to do well to get runs on the board and if Lucy Pearson, Clare Taylor and the two young spinners all come right, there is no telling how far England can go in this World Cup.

"If we get to the semi-finals, then anything is possible," she said.

After England's triumphant summer against South Africa, the problems of last winter where they were beaten by Australia and New Zealand have been put well and truly behind them.

"We have come on a lot from then. We have a few new players and although we are inexperienced compared to the other sides, we have a lot of talent. Australia, the favourites, have no respect for anyone - they know we have a few good players but they will take us totally for granted. New Zealand might be a little more apprehensive because we gave them five good games when we were there last.

"It would be great if England could win the World Cup again - it would be our third time - but we are realistic about the competition. We know what we are up against," Edwards said.