CHARLOTTE EDWARDS has today called time on her illustrious 20-year international cricket career.
It had been widely speculated the 36-year-old, who lives in Wokingham and has turned out for the town’s Ridgeway team in the past, was considering her future in this form of the game, of which she is the the current all-time leading One-Day International (ODI) scorer in women’s cricket.
But World Cup winner Edwards has now confirmed she is calling it a day.
“Everyone who knows me – and how much I love playing for England – will appreciate what a difficult decision it has been for me to retire from international cricket.” said the England captain.
“It’s a decision I’ve reached after much thorough and detailed discussion with Mark Robinson (head coach) and Clare Connor (ECB Director of Women’s Cricket) about what is best for the team going forward.
“I have given 20 years to playing for England and I leave very proud of the standing in which the women’s game is held and my contribution as a player and captain.
“As a 16-year-old girl making my debut for England, I couldn’t have dreamt that I would have had such an amazing time with so much success.
“I’ve travelled the world, won World Cups and Ashes series and shared it all with some of my closest friends.
“However, nothing lasts forever. I believe now is the right time for a new captain to lead the team forward and for young players to be given more opportunities to make their mark on the international game.
“After honest and open discussions with Mark, it became clear that he wants to build a new team and I fully support that.
“I would have loved to have carried on and whilst I am disappointed that I won’t be doing so I fully understand and respect what Mark is looking to do.
“This is a new era and he wants other players to come to the fore to build a strong team.”
Congrats to @Lottie2323 on a fantastic career. Best of luck for the future pic.twitter.com/3eMhbD195r
— PCA (@PCA) May 11, 2016
Edwards’ international career is second to none.
Following her debut as a teenager, she has now made more international appearances than any other female cricketer in the game, boasting 23 Test Match caps, 191 ODI and 95 T20 caps.
Edwards has racked up an impressive 5,992 runs, while the 2,605 struck up in the shorter format of the game is more than any other player – man or woman – in the world.
Appointed captain in 2006, Charlotte led her country on exactly 220 occasions, and it was again a spell which yielded much success.
During Edwards’ reign, England tasted glory in both the 2009 ICC Women’s World Cup and ICC World T20, while she also presided over three Ashes’ triumphs in 2008, 2013 and 2014, of which two were won over in Australia.
Edwards’ services to cricket saw her named a CBE in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, while in the same year she also became on the second women ever to be named as a Wisden Cricketer of the Year – and the first to be nominated for the ICC LG People’s Choice Award.
The ICC Women’s Player of the Year accolade also bore her name in 2008.
She added: “20 years is a long time and so I have many people to thank: my family, my friends, every single coach who has helped me get better during my career, all the support staff and my England team-mates over the last two decades.
“I also want to thank everyone at the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) for their support and guidance over the years, and to the incredible fan base that has grown for the England Women’s team throughout my career.
“Aside from the team’s success and my own personal record, I am most proud of where the women’s game is now.
“I have loved working with the ECB off the pitch to break new ground and to build a better future for the sport, and I hope to continue to play a role in this moving forwards.”
ECB Chief Executive Tom Harrison paid tribute to the player, saying: “She is a credit to her country and our sport, and deserves nothing but celebration and enormous respect for the way in which she has played the game over the last 20 years.
“She leaves the most wonderful legacy, having inspired countless women and girls around the world to pick up a bat and ball and play the game she so clearly loves.”
Edwards, meanwhile, will continue to play domestic cricket.
She will captain the Southern Vipers in the inaugural Kia Super League this summer and will also lead out Kent in the Royal London One-Day Championship.
Her England replacement will be announced in due course.
Another Ridgeway and Berkshire star, Heather Knight, is current vice-captain and could well get the nod.
