England women vs India: Charlotte Edwards not panicking after T20 series loss

England’s fielding was an area earmarked for improvement when Edwards was hired followed the 16-0 Ashes debacle in Australia over the winter.

“Really disappointing” was the former captain’s assessment of that aspect of her side’s performances after a number of dropped catches across the India series.

“I know the results haven’t gone our way but I keep saying to the players that we’re on a journey, and the T20 journey is for [the T20 World Cup] next summer,” Edwards told BBC Test Match Special.

“We are learning lots about this current group, but they’ve got to learn quickly, about how to build an innings in the middle overs and that sort of thing.

“In terms of our bowling, it is exciting. [Lauren] Bell, [Lauren] Filer, [Issy] Wong, [Sophie] Ecclestone’s shown her class.

“We want the team to be playing under more pressure, we have seen that now, and I’m learning a lot from that.”

If the West Indies series was a timely confidence boost following the Ashes, India have provided a reality check as England try to plot a path to becoming the best side in the world.

“This is one of the best teams in the world and where we want to aspire to get to,” Edwards said of India.

“At times at The Oval it was amazing how we fought back but we haven’t been able to do it consistently enough where India have and that is why they’re 3-1 up.

“I’m learning every single day, we’re talking and reviewing a lot. I think this is just going to take a bit longer than we’d have liked.

“We have come up against a very good team but what I can tell you is that everything is being done behind the scenes for us to improve, for us to get there, and we’ve got to be realistic.”