Southern Brave’s head coach, Charlotte Edwards, has candidly assessed her team’s performance in the 2024 Women’s Hundred, attributing their disappointing campaign to a challenging start and inconsistent form. The defending champions finished at the bottom of the table, with a record of only two wins from eight matches, and Edwards is determined to address the shortcomings before next season.
Southern Brave’s struggle was evident from the beginning of the season. Despite starting with a couple of narrow defeats to London Spirit and Manchester Originals, the team seemed composed to bounce back. However, their performance faltered as the season progressed. A tie against Northern Superchargers and a rain-affected victory over Oval Invincibles were their only highlights in a season marked by six losses.
The team’s final match against Welsh Fire highlighted their struggles. Brave was bowled out for a modest 103 runs, with Hayley Matthews and Jess Jonassen taking key wickets. Welsh Fire chased down the target with relative ease, thanks to a solid partnership between Matthews and Tammy Beaumont. This nine-wicket defeat highlighted Brave’s inability to consolidate their game plans throughout the season.
Edwards acknowledged that the team’s inability to convert good starts into victories was a significant factor in their downfall. “The start was particularly hard because we played well and we didn’t win,” she told ESPNcricinfo. “And then the back four games we probably haven’t played well. When you don’t start the competition as well and then you don’t end it well, you’re probably going to be sat in the position we’re in.”
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Looking ahead, Edwards is focused on conducting a thorough review of the season. However, a comprehensive analysis will be postponed until later in the year to allow for a full evaluation of their performance. Edwards is keen to address both the strengths and weaknesses of the team in preparation for the 2024 season.
In addition to her role with Southern Brave, Edwards will also coach Hampshire’s Tier 1 team in the restructured women’s domestic competition and has extended her contract with Sydney Sixers for another two seasons in the WBBL. Despite a challenging year, she remains committed to her roles with Southern Brave and Mumbai Indians, expressing hope for contract renewals with both teams.
Edwards also voiced support for scheduling reforms in franchise leagues to avoid conflicts with international series. She echoed calls from Jhulan Goswami, Mumbai Indians’ bowling coach, advocating for exclusive windows for major leagues like The Hundred, WPL, and WBBL. “It has to be three windows for me,” Edwards said. “They’re the three biggest comps. That’s no disrespect to all the other comps, but I think they’re the three biggest comps in women’s cricket. They’re so important for the growth of the game.”
As the cricket calendar evolves, Edwards’ proposals aim to balance the needs of international and franchise cricket, ensuring that top players can participate in both arenas. With nine months available for international cricket, she believes dedicated windows for key franchise tournaments will enhance the overall quality and visibility of the game.
As Southern Brave looks to regroup and strategize for the next season, Edwards’ insights and commitment signal an active approach to returning to the top of the Women’s Hundred standings.
