Charlotte Edwards, the strategic mind behind Southern Brave’s victorious campaign in the 2023 edition of The Hundred women’s competition, is now gearing up for the title defense.
Edwards, a seasoned coach with roles in multiple T20 leagues globally, including Mumbai Indians and Sydney Sixers, brings a wealth of experience in squad building and player management.
The journey towards constructing a winning squad begins long before the first ball is bowled. As soon as player retention protocols are confirmed, typically in November each year, Edwards dives into planning. Securing key players early is crucial, as she explains: “We look at how we’re going to put the team together and how we retain the players – hopefully they accept their offers – which is the first process for me.”
A significant advantage for Edwards this year was the retirement of Anya Shrubsole, only because it created a strategic opportunity to reshuffle the squad, while her contributions will be heavily missed. Charlotte shared, “I could move most players up. Everyone felt happier and they were getting paid more money, so I felt very fortunate that it all fell into place.”
Edwards’ approach is thorough and data driven. She leverages analytics extensively, collaborating closely with team analysts to inform her decisions: “I drive a lot of the player recruitment, along with our analyst, who will back up a lot of my decisions. I obviously know the skeleton of the team I want, and they will give me the numbers about positions and which players will be available.”
However, it is not just about numbers and statistics. Edwards values familiarity and cohesion within the squad. This was evident in her recruitment of players like Lauren Cheatle, who she coached at Sydney Sixers.
Quoting, Charlotte, “I like to have players that I know… You know what you’re going to get, you don’t need to spend the first two weeks trying to integrate that player, they know how you operate.”
For Edwards, building a successful squad is about more than just assembling talented individuals; it is about creating a cohesive unit that understands each other’s strengths and plays collectively towards a shared goal.
As Southern Brave prepares for their opening match against London Spirit, Edwards’ blend of strategic planning, data analysis, and personal familiarity with players positions them strongly for another shot at The Hundred title.