England has named Charlotte Edwards as the new head coach of the national women’s cricket team, bringing a highly experienced leader back into the setup. The 45-year-old, who remains England’s all-time leading run-scorer, replaces Jon Lewis following England’s 16-0 Ashes series loss to Australia. Edwards, who played over 300 matches for England across a 19-year career, captained the team for a decade and led them to multiple trophies.
Her tenure as captain included three Ashes series victories and both the 50-over and 20-over World Cups in 2009. However, her leadership ended abruptly in 2016 when she was replaced by Heather Knight, who later went on to captain England for nine years. Following the Ashes defeat, Edwards dismissed Knight, but she will continue to play under his guidance.
Edwards expressed her excitement about taking on the role, stating that leading England as captain had been her life for ten years, and she was eager to drive the team towards success. She emphasized her passion for England cricket and her desire to improve the squad both individually and as a unit.
England has yet to name a new women’s cricket captain. Vice-captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has previously shown interest in the role, while spinner Charlie Dean has also indicated she would be open to the opportunity. The restructuring of the team follows a comprehensive review of the Ashes series defeat, which was led by Clare Connor, the director of women’s cricket.
Given her experience and coaching success, Edwards was considered the ideal candidate to rebuild the team. Connor described her as a proven winner, highlighting her achievements as both a player and a coach. Since her retirement from international cricket, Edwards has led multiple teams to success, demonstrating her ability to develop winning squads.
Since stepping into coaching, Edwards has been at the forefront of women’s domestic and international cricket. Her Southern Vipers team has been dominant in English domestic cricket, while her Southern Brave side claimed victory in The Hundred 2023. She has also enjoyed success overseas, leading the Mumbai Indians to two Women’s Premier League titles in three seasons and guiding the Sydney Sixers to the final of Australia’s Big Bash League in 2022.
Connor highlighted Edwards’ profound understanding of the game and her ability to foster a competitive yet supportive environment. She also pointed out that Edwards’ extensive knowledge of international cricket would be instrumental in shaping the future of the England team.
Edwards’ first assignment as head coach will be overseeing England’s white-ball series against West Indies and India this summer. These matches will serve as a crucial buildup to the 50-over Women’s World Cup in India set to take place in October.
Her former teammate, Lydia Greenway, believes the appointment will steer England in the right direction following a turbulent two years. Despite a drawn Ashes series in 2023 that hinted at progress, England’s T20 World Cup performances and the comprehensive defeat in the 2024 Ashes had left the team at a low point. Greenway noted that Edwards would set high standards from the outset, ensuring players understood her expectations immediately.
Edwards’ journey in international cricket began at just 16 when she made her England debut against New Zealand. Her early performances showcased her talent, and by the age of 18, she had already set a record ODI score of 173 not out in a World Cup match against Ireland. In 1998, she registered her maiden Test century against India.
However, her career faced a setback in 2000 when a serious cruciate ligament injury sustained while playing hockey forced her out for nearly a year. Upon her return, Edwards quickly re-established herself as a dominant force in the team.
In 2005, she took over as England captain after Clare Connor retired. Edwards led the team through a transitional phase before steering them to multiple victories, including the historic 2009 double World Cup triumph. Her leadership was instrumental in raising the profile of women’s cricket, and she was awarded an MBE for services to cricket in 2009.
Although her playing career ended in 2016, Edwards continued shaping the game from the sidelines. She took on coaching roles at Southern Vipers, Sydney Sixers, and Mumbai Indians, consistently guiding teams to top-tier finishes. Of the five teams she has coached since 2020, they have finished in the top three of their competitions in 16 out of 19 attempts.
Greenway emphasized that Edwards had already transitioned from playing to coaching, gaining the respect of the current generation of England players. Several key figures, including Maia Bouchier, Sophie Ecclestone, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, and Heather Knight, have formerly worked under Edwards, which could help ease the transition.
While success cannot be guaranteed, Greenway is confident that Edwards will move the team in the right direction. Given her track record, England’s women’s team now has a leader with the experience, drive, and winning mentality to rebuild the squad and restore their competitive edge.
