Charlotte Edwards, the former England captain and one of the most decorated figures in women’s cricket, has officially taken the reins as the head coach of the England women’s team, succeeding Jon Lewis. A two-time World Cup winner and three-time Ashes champion, Edwards brings with her a wealth of experience both on the field and in the dugout, having forged a highly successful coaching career in domestic and franchise cricket.
In a recent conversation with Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton, Edwards opened up about why this was the right moment to return to the international fold, her vision for the team, and how she plans to build on recent performances while instilling a fresh, competitive edge to England’s game.
The decision to bring in a new head coach came in the aftermath of England’s bruising 16-0 Ashes whitewash at the hands of Australia. Reflecting on the series, Edwards admitted she hadn’t anticipated such a one-sided series and expected the contest to be much closer. She pointed to the Melbourne game as a turning point, where failing to chase 180 handed Australia the momentum. “You could see the lack of confidence by the end of the trip – it was hard to watch,” she said.
With the team under growing scrutiny following a disappointing T20 World Cup exit and a heavy Ashes defeat, concerns around fielding standards and overall fitness have only intensified. When asked whether stepping in during such a challenging phase was the right move, Edwards said, “Yeah, I think so, I mean once I got the call and was asked if I wanted to have the role, I straightaway said yes because I felt it was the right time for me. I think where the team is at the moment is a good time for me to take over.”
Having spent nearly a decade away from the national setup, honing her craft across various coaching roles, she believes the timing couldn’t be better for both her and the team. “Wearing the three lions again means everything,” she added, underlining the pride and purpose behind her comeback.
Edwards’ coaching credentials are as impressive as her playing career. She has led top sides across major domestic leagues, including the Southern Vipers, Southern Brave in The Hundred, the Sydney Sixers in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), and the Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Her decorated coaching record includes two WPL titles with Mumbai, a Hundred title with Southern Brave, and five trophies with the Southern Vipers.
When asked whether this success made her feel more prepared to take on the England job – something she had previously declined, she said, “Yeah, I think experience and confidence I think go in a way… coaching the Sydney Sixers you know with the likes of Healy (Alyssa Healy), Perry (Ellyse Perry), Gardner (Ashleigh Gardner)… Mumbai Indians with all their players… I think it’s just enabled me to gain real experience, certainly under high pressure.”
She added that while the timing wasn’t something she had planned, “I thought I was gonna be coaching Hampshire in a couple of weeks,” she now feels fully ready to embrace the challenge of international coaching.
Edwards’ appointment drew widespread attention across the cricketing world, with messages of support pouring in from players and coaches alike. Among the most heartfelt was from Australian star Ellyse Perry, who played under Edwards at the Sydney Sixers and called working with her the highlight of career.” Reacting to the outpouring of support, Edwards shared, “To be honest it’s been really overwhelming from the last 24 hours… there were 300 messages on my phone and a lot of them from players… that is a mark of how much I am respected within the game.”
Alongside the coaching change, England will also see a new captain take charge, with Heather Knight stepping down after nearly a decade at the helm. Edwards, who was once succeeded by Knight as captain, praised her leadership through a challenging era. She acknowledged the toll the role had taken, especially after the Ashes, and noted that Knight had been in superb batting form despite looking visibly exhausted. Edwards said she had a feeling the decision was coming but believes Knight still has plenty to offer.
Reflecting on England’s recent struggles, particularly their inability to handle pressure moments, Edwards acknowledged it as a clear area of concern. Her solution, however, is rooted in simplicity and structure. She emphasised the importance of exposing players to high-pressure situations more regularly in domestic cricket, so they’re better prepared when they wear the England shirt. “We keep putting them in those pressure situations so when they do play for England, it’s not alien to them,” she said.
The 45-year-old made it clear that her role is not to initiate a complete overhaul, but to fine-tune and reset the current setup stressing a more measured approach. Her immediate focus will be on shaping a clear blueprint for the 50-over format ahead of the World Cup in India and ensuring that this vision filters down through the domestic circuit. “My main focus is going to be the 50-over game, understanding the blueprint that is going to be successful for us in the World Cup in India,” she said.
What lies ahead for Edwards is a crucial stretch that will quickly put her plans into motion. Her first assignment as head coach will be the home series against West Indies in May, followed by a high-stakes contest against India, both serving as vital preparation for the 50-over World Cup later this year.
“West Indies is my first series as a coach, so I am really looking forward to that. India will be a massive challenge leading into the World Cup… I’ve spent a lot of time out there, so I have got good knowledge,” she said. With a clear roadmap and familiar conditions awaiting her in India, Edwards begins her tenure with both anticipation and assurance.
(Quotes sourced from a video posted by Sky Sports Cricket on YouTube)
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