England have endured a challenging 12 months, beginning with their group-stage exit at last year’s Women’s T20 World Cup, followed by a 16-0 Ashes whitewash by Australia over the winter.
These back-to-back setbacks led to former English captain and legend Charlotte Edwards’ appointment as head coach. While she began her tenure on a positive note with a clean sweep against the West Indies in both the One-Day Internationals and the T20 International series. England have since struggled in a T20I series against India and currently trail 2-1.
Australia’s great Ellyse Perry is confident that Charlotte Edwards will steer England back on the right path. Widely regarded as one of the greatest female cricketers of all time, Perry is confident it’s only a matter of time before Edwards gets England back on track, having previously played under her at the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League.
In a conversation with the PA news agency, the Australian all-rounder said, “Without a shadow of a doubt. I don’t think that team needs too much lifting. You look at England’s personnel—they’re a wonderful team, and they’ll have a lot of success.”
She further added, “Sometimes you just go through a patch of things not falling the way you want them to and learn a few different things, make a few tweaks, and it is funny how things just fall into place from there. I’ve got no doubt Lottie will guide them in that direction. It will be great to see her in control of that team and where she can take them.”
The former World Cup-winning captain Edwards has enjoyed a highly successful coaching career, claiming titles with the Southern Vipers, Southern Brave in The Hundred, and Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League.
When asked about the secret to Edwards’ success, Perry said, “She just intuitively knows the game inside out. Her ability to impart her knowledge and wisdom onto players across the spectrum is probably unparalleled.”
Additionally, she mentioned, “What people don’t see is just how bloody hard she works. I don’t know a coach that is more invested in what she’s doing than Lottie. It’s not a surprise she’s had success.” She’s incredibly well-credentialed for the role, but it’s the work she puts in that makes her successful.”
Edwards was originally set to take charge of Hampshire in the inaugural year of the women’s domestic restructure and convinced Perry to join for a stint at the Utilita Bowl during Australia’s off-season. Perry, an eight-time World Cup winner and the ICC’s Women’s Cricketer of the Decade for the 2010s, has now begun her spell with the Hampshire Hawks, benefiting from Edwards’ absence in the early stages.
The all-rounder, who is set to star in The Hundred for Birmingham Phoenix next month, has already made a strong impression in her short time with the Hawks, bagging two wickets on debut and scored a solid 40 in her most recent outing. Perry also shared, “I’ve benefited because I’m staying in her seaside apartment—so I’ll take it.”
Charlotte Edwards will also be aiming to win the final two T20I against India, overturn the 2-1 deficit, and continue her strong run as England head coach.
(Quotes sourced from PA news agency)
