The decision for the 36-year old came after a meeting with England’s coach Mark Robinson. The pair’s most recent tournament together was the T20 World Cup, where England were knocked-out at the semi-final stage.
Edwards, who became the youngest member of the England cricket team to make her debut, in 1996, went on to amass over 10,000 runs across all formats of the game. Speaking to the BBC, after she announced her decision, Edwards visibly saddened but could understand why the England hierarchy wanted to move the international team forward with fresh input.
“It became clear Mark wants to build a new a team and I fully support that,” Edwards said. “I would have loved to have carried on. Whilst I am disappointed that I won’t be doing so, I fully understand and respect what Mark is looking to do,” Edwards, who took the team to Ashes success in 2005, added.
Clare Connor, now director of women’s cricket, and a former international herself, knew the time had come for Edwards to step aside and move England into a new future. “When, in professional sport, a team does under-perform and players aren’t necessarily playing to their potential, it’s the captain, sadly, who is called into question.”
As for Edwards, who can count, leading her country to world cup success in the 50-over format and T20, as well as back-to-back Ashes series win, on her cricketing cv, she will continue to play domestic cricket and take part in the new regional women’s T20 which starts this summer.
