Charlotte Edwards has no regrets after retirement
NOW the dust has settled following her shock retirement from international cricket, former England skipper Charlotte Edwards insists she is only looking ahead rather than at what might have been.
The 36-year-old was forced to step into the international sunset after England coach Mark Robinson told her she would not be considered for the upcoming series against Pakistan.
But the Kent and Southern Vipers batter insists she has no intentions of hanging up her spikes altogether, even if men’s Premier League cricket is seemingly out of the question.
“It’s been a whirlwind three or four weeks since I was told,” she said. “I’ve been through a lot of emotions in that time and been very up and down.
“But I feel a lot stronger now, and a big part of that is the work I’m doing with cricket charity Chance to Shine as it’s shown me again why I loved playing the game so much.
“I’ve had time to look back on my career and really focus on the opportunities I’ve got ahead of me – that’s what I’m trying to focus on rather than the cricket which I am obviously still hurting about.
“There’s not really been any temptation to move [to men’s cricket] to be honest. I’ve had a lot of people ring me up about it, but I’m happy to concentrate on Kent and the Southern Vipers in the new Super League, and I’m talking to teams in Australia already about the Big Bash.
“The phone is red hot at the moment, but I think it’s important that I don’t make bad decisions and take my time to work out what the best way forward is.”
The three-time Ashes winner is not the only experienced name to make way this summer, with veteran lefthander Lydia Greenway also coaxed into retirement this week and Sarah Taylor taking an indefinite break.
But Edwards is nonetheless excited to see the direction the team takes – and indeed who replaces her at the helm.
She said: “Sarah [Taylor] would have been in contention for sure. I don’t really know the circumstances around her taking a step back from cricket, but hopefully given her talent she is back in the team really quickly.
“Heather [Knight] would be an obvious replacement too, and Anya Shrubsole is up there. Both have wonderful cricket brains, experience, the respect of the team, and they won’t be looking far away from those two.
“For selection they will be looking at the players that have been on the periphery over the last couple of years – people like Georgia Elwiss deserve a good run in the team.
“Fran Wilson is another who will have a good opportunity now having scored lots of runs in county cricket, and there’s a couple of good young girls in the academy – Emma Lamb from Lancashire and Sophia Dunkley as well.
“It’s a great opportunity for these young players now to stake a claim for their spot. It’s going to be weird at first, but I am fully behind them.”
Chance to Shine Ambassador Charlotte Edwards was helping to spread the ‘power of cricket’ at the charity’s half-term cricket camp supported by Waitrose. This summer, donations to Chance to Shine will be matched by their Patron Adrian Beecroft. Donate at www.chancetoshine.org/ donate
England are set to announce their new captain and vice-captain today at Lord’s.