ENGLAND’S players will be held accountable for their fitness as new head coach Charlotte Edwards sets her sights on winning the World Cup later this year.

Edwards’s predecessor Jon Lewis admitted Australia were “much more athletic” during England’s 16-0 drubbing in the Ashes, while former spinner Alex Hartley questioned the team’s physical condition at the T20 World Cup.

The whitewash Down Under this winter resulted in the dismissal of Lewis and captain Heather Knight, whose futures were sealed by a recent England and Wales Cricket Board review.

Among Edwards’s initial tasks will be to initiate a period of soul searching among her players in the hope it will inspire success in the 50-over showpiece being hosted by India in September and October.

“My first week next week will be profiling so I will judge for myself about where the team are with their fitness,” the former England skipper said.

“I wouldn’t have taken on this role if I didn’t think that in six months we could win the World Cup in India. We’ve got the playing group to do that.”