England women’s cricket team has embarked on a new era, just days after the resignation of head coach Jon Lewis, as they bid to revive their fortunes following a dismal Ashes campaign and a disappointing T20 World Cup exit. The team’s search for a fresh start has led to the appointment of Charlotte Edwards, a legendary figure in English Cricket, as their new head coach, bringing a proven track record of success and a deep understanding of the women’s game.
Edwards’ impressive credentials are rooted in her remarkable playing career, which spanned 19 years and saw her represent England over 300 times. Her leadership skills were also honed during a decade-long captaincy stint, during which she led the team in 200 matches, yielding three Ashes series victories and a memorable double World Cup triumph in 2009, where England claimed both the 50-over and 20-over titles.
Since retiring from playing in 2017, Edwards has successfully transitioned to coaching, showcasing her expertise across various formats and leagues. Her coaching resume boasts stints with Southern Vipers in regional cricket, Southern Brave in The Hundred, Sydney Sixers in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), and Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
With a trophy cabinet that’s rapidly filling up, Edwards has enjoyed a stunning coaching career, crowned with two WPL titles with Mumbai Indians, a Hundred title victory with Southern Brave, and a remarkable quintet of domestic trophies with Southern Vipers – a dazzling display of her coaching acumen and leadership skills. Now, as she takes the reins as England Women’s head coach, Edwards will be eager to replicate this success on the international stage, inspiring a new generation of English cricketers and bringing glory back to the national team.
“I cannot wait to take this team forward and drive us to success. It means the world to me to have the three lions on my chest once again,” said Edwards reflecting on the significance of the opportunity.
Having led England for a decade, Edwards remains deeply invested in the team’s progress and legacy. Speaking about her return, she reiterated her unwavering passion for the squad and its future. She expressed her eagerness to channel her wealth of experience into shaping the current team, fostering their development both as individuals and as a collective unit, with the ultimate aim of restoring England’s dominance on the global stage.
England Cricket Board’s (ECB) Deputy CEO and Managing Director of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, emphasized that Edwards was the standout candidate for the role, given her experience, passion, and track record of success. She highlighted Edwards’ ability to create a high-performance environment while maintaining a strong sense of support within the team, expressing confidence that her leadership would guide England Women to a bright future. “We are delighted to be able to appoint her as Head Coach of the England Women’s team and we’re hugely excited for what’s to come,” she said.
Edwards’ immediate challenge will be navigating a packed home summer schedule featuring series against West Indies and India in May and June, respectively. The stakes will then escalate with the ICC Women’s World Cup in India later this year, followed by the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup next summer on home soil. Looking further ahead, the prospect of women’s cricket making its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games adds another exciting milestone to aim for. In light of the busy calendar ahead, Edwards said, “I’m relishing the prospect of winning trophies and taking this team forward.”
Recently appointed as Hampshire’s head coach for the 2025 season, Edwards now makes the switch to the national team, beginning her tenure as England Women’s head coach, with her first game in charge set to take place on May 21 against the West Indies at Canterbury.
Not only did England’s coaching position change hands, but the captaincy also saw a shift, with Heather Knight resigning after a nine-year tenure. In a fascinating twist, Knight will now play under the guidance of the very person she had replaced as captain in 2016 – Charlotte Edwards. With Edwards at the helm and a new captain yet to be announced, an exciting and uncertain chapter unfolds for the team.
(Quotes sourced from ECB)
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