The women's Ashes are nearly here, with two of the game's heavyweight sides facing off to launch our summer of cricket in style.

With the WBBL on the rise and this year's World Cup well watched all over the world, the women's game has never been stronger — setting up a tantalising contest between Australia and England.

But as you may know, the women's Ashes series works a little differently to the men's, with a points system used to decide a winner at the end of the multi-format series.

So here's everything you need to know about the women's Ashes.

Women's Ashes on the radio Want to tune in to ABC's coverage of the Women's Ashes? You can listen to all the action live on ABC Radio and Grandstand Digital. Check Grandstand's radio schedule for details.

How many games will they play?

All up, seven matches comprise the women's Ashes — three ODIs, three Twenty20s and a four-day Test match.

The series starts this Sunday with the first of the ODIs at Allan Border Field, and eventually wraps up on November 21 with the final T20 at Manuka Oval.

Old enemies battle for a revered prize in some of the game's newer formats. ( Reuters: John Sibley )

Of course the showpiece event is the Test, even more so this time around as North Sydney Oval will turn the lights on for the first ever women's day-night Test.

It's a congested month of cricket, especially for the touring English, with the series to be decided before the men's Ashes series begins on November 23.

So how does the points system work?

The system was revamped ahead of the 2015 women's Ashes series, resulting in what is now considered a much more balanced contest across the seven matches.

A Test win can set up a series victory for either Australia or England. ( Reuters: Peter Cziborra )

Here's how it works:

Four points are awarded to the winner of the Test match, with two each awarded if the match is drawn.

with two each awarded if the match is drawn. Two points are awarded to the winner of an ODI match , with a point each for a tie or abandoned match.

, with a point each for a tie or abandoned match. Two points are awarded to the winner of a T20 match , with a point each for a tie or abandoned match.

, with a point each for a tie or abandoned match. The team with the most points accrued at the end of the seven matches is awarded the Ashes.

Pretty simple, hey? The idea behind the revamp is to ensure the team that loses the Test isn't too badly disadvantaged — in 2013/14, Australia won more games than England but lost the series because of the six points that were then awarded for a Test win.

Who currently has the Ashes?

'Straya! You beauty!

The Aussies won 10-6 on English soil in 2015. ( Reuters: Andrew Boyers )

Around about the same time that the blokes were getting beat over in England in 2015, our Aussie women knocked off their competition 10-6 to reclaim the Ashes after five years without them.

Ellyse Perry was named player of the series back then, probably because she scored more runs and took more wickets than anyone else across the seven matches.

That was the first time Australia had won a series against England since the points system was introduced, with England winning home and away in 2013 and 2014.

Who will make the difference for Australia?

You've probably heard by now that Meg Lanning — Australia's usual captain and the best batter in the women's game — is out injured with a dodgy shoulder. It's a big blow, but there are plenty who can step up.

Ellyse Perry was player of the series during the 2015 Ashes, and will be a big factor this time around too. ( Reuters: Philip Brown )

Of course Perry will be required to carry a fair share of the pressure with both the bat and ball, and stand-in skipper Rachael Haynes has started the National League season in top form.

Alex Blackwell brings mountains of experience to the side and Megan Schutt will join Perry in leading the pace attack — which could also include 18-year-old bolter Lauren Cheatle.

Australia was probably a little too spin-heavy during its ill-fated 2017 World Cup campaign, but mostly because there are plenty of options there too — Jess Jonassen, Ashleigh Gardner and Kristen Beams could all be competing for spots this time around.

And what about England?

Well, for one, the English women are world champions after their thrilling World Cup win on home soil. The women's game has never been bigger in England, and the players will come to Australia full of confidence.

England is world champion and ready to take on Australia. ( AP: Rui Vieira )

Heather Knight is skippering her first Ashes series, but considering how impressively she coped with pressure in the World Cup, she won't be getting overwhelmed by the occasion.

Speaking of the World Cup, how about the hero of the final, Anya Shrubsole? Her 6-46 in the deciding match stole victory from the jaws of defeat against India, and the seamer has the potential to be a match-winner Down Under too.

And then there's veteran Katherine Brunt, who has been tormenting the Aussies since 2005. Throw in the likes of Tammy Beaumont, Sarah Taylor and Natalie Sciver and you've got yourself a seriously decent touring squad.