Former England skipper Charlotte Edwards has been appointed as England Women's cricket team head coach, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Tuesday (April 1). Edwards, who represented England in more than 300 games and was captain of the team for a decade, succeeds Jon Lewis after England's embarrassing 16-0 Ashes whitewash against Australia earlier this year.

A Return to the Three Lions

"I am thrilled to be back as part of the England Women's cricket team leadership, and I am not looking forward to taking this team forward and pushing us to success," Edwards said. "It means the world to me to have the three lions on my chest again. Being captain of England was my life for 10 years, and I will always be passionate about this team and our heritage. We have such a great bunch of players, and I am looking forward to working with them and developing them as individuals and as a team."

Her immediate challenge will be two home series against West Indies and India, followed by the ICC Women’s World Cup in India later this year and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at home in 2026. She will also be responsible for restoring team morale after England’s recent poor performances, including their unexpected group-stage exit at the T20 World Cup in the UAE last October.

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A Decorated Career On and Off the Field

Through her 20-year career on the field, Edwards was a two-time World Cup and five-time Ashes series winner. Since retiring in 2017, she has lived a life of tremendous success as a coach. She took Mumbai Indians to two Women's Premier League (WPL) titles in three seasons and took Southern Vipers to five titles, two of which were in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, England's domestic T20 competition named for her.

Her coaching record also features taking Southern Brave to three Women's Hundred finals, claiming victory in 2023, and taking Sydney Sixers to the final of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) for 2022-23. Edwards will now leave her position with the Sixers and Hampshire Women.

ECB Supports a "Proven Winner"

ECB deputy CEO and England Women's cricket managing director Clare Connor welcomed Edwards' appointment: "She has the experience, passion, and expertise to take this team to success. The results she has achieved as a head coach in various environments since retiring as one of the greatest-ever England players is a relentless and high standard."

Connor also recognized Edwards's extensive understanding of the game at home and abroad and stressed the need to create a competitive but also supportive atmosphere for the national team.

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Transition in Leadership and Challenges Ahead

Edwards' appointment comes as England changes leadership, with Heather Knight retiring as captain. The ECB has not yet announced her replacement, although vice-captain Nat Sciver-Brunt is the favorite to take over.

On Wednesday, Edwards and Connor will speak to the media at Lord's to set out their vision for England Women's cricket. With the growing professionalization of the women's game and the recent struggles of England, Edwards is likely to introduce more stringent fitness and performance requirements to restore the team's competitive swagger.

As England prepares for a key stage in women's cricket, including the possibility of the sport being added to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Edwards' appointment promises a new dawn. The ECB will expect that her record as a player and coach is replicated internationally.