Edwards relocates after Kent departure
CHARLOTTE Edwards has ended all speculation regarding her future by joining Hampshire.
Edwards, 36, ended her 16-year spell with Kent last week but recently took a position as a non-executive board director with Hampshire and Southern Vipers, who she captained to the inaugural Women’s Super League title in the summer.
The former England captain retired from international cricket in May having skippered her country more than 200 times. She will still play for Adelaide Strikers in the Women’s Big Bash this winter.
Edwards said: “After spending the last year at the Ageas Bowl with the Southern Vipers it felt the right move for me to play my last few years of cricket with the club.
“The opportunity has come at a great time in my career and I look forward to playing with such a young and exciting group over the next few seasons.”
Edwards won a record seven County Championships with Kent Women, while finishing runners-up five times since 2004. Edwards lifted the domestic double this year at Canterbury.
She now joins a team who play in Division Two of the 50-over Women’s County Championship and T20 competitions.
Hampshire Women head of performance Bob Parks said: “The immense value, experience and knowledge she adds will be key in driving the improvement of women’s and girls’ cricket in Hampshire and across the Southern Vipers region.” We mentioned in last week’s issue that Edwards’ departure from Kent may see her hang up her spikes but it’s clear that the determination and drive is still there. Can she turn Hampshire into a force in the women’s game? It would take a brave soul to back against it but it’s going to take work. Lack of international commitments may help.