by “One thing I know, I can no longer face teams!” Charlotte Edwards has her hands more coach than overflowing as a chief coach of the Indians of Mumbai, Sydney Sixers, Southern Brave and Hampshire (formerly Southern Vipers). If she was not busy enough – “People think I must be crazy, but I want to make a difference while I still had energy” – the former captain of England has also just launched a Foundation in its own name that seeks to help female cricket players in “sub-services communities”.
After 30 minutes of discussion on the state of the female game in the country and abroad and its reflections on this Disstroous Ashes campaign, we go to the elephant on the telephone line. Edwards carefully chooses his words, aware that Australian dirt is always splashed with the blood of England and the dust of the benefits far from the installation.
In relation: Six ways to repair the female cricket of England after another debacle of the Ashes series | Raf Nicholson
“It should Never were 16-0 ”, she deplores herself. “England has talented players, but it was really sad to see how things have gone in the past six weeks, especially by knowing many people involved.”
Edwards finally admits that it would be difficult to refuse a position with England if the opportunity arises. “I love doing what I’m doing right now, working around the world and directing four different sides … But, look is one of my ambition to train England and I made this very public. I would love to do this. I don’t really want to say more than that because they have a whole process to follow. »»
Clare Connor, Director General of England Women’s Cricket, said this month that there would be an “honest examination” in the capitulation of England below, and undoubtedly the roles of Jon Lewis and as ‘Coach and Heather Knight as a captain will be under the magnifying glass. Edwards wishes to be part of the exam and think there are a lot of “quick victories” to have.
“I feel like I have a lot of knowledge, I was involved in the English system and other world systems and I just want to help bring the English cricket back where I know they can be. »»
During the career as a player in England of 20 years of Edwards, she capitalized the team for 11 years with a series of successes, including four Ashes series victories and by replacing the 50 and 20 year old World Cups . She had the impression that her world had been “upset” when she was in force as captain of England by the head coach of the time, Mark Robinson, in 2016.
Connor, his predecessor in the role, informed him of the decision and Knight took over the captain. Edwards decided, although with a heavy heart, to move away from international cricket. She retired to play in 2018 and has had a career as golden coaches since since, winning the first female female league with the Indians of Mumbai and the one with Southern Brave.
“I have learned so much in the past five years,” she said. “I had wonderful opportunities in which I loved being stuck. I work with many England players through different franchises and it is such a part of my role, but the side of development that I also like, nourishing new talents. »»
Edwards is articulated and unshakable in his assessments of what was wrong for England and what must then happen. This includes England players playing more domestic cricket to speed up experience and awareness of the game, wilting in high pressure situations being a constant failure in the ash hiding place.
“I also think that it would create more competition for places and help the team in England become stronger because you see the best people playing against the best people, week after week.”
On the criticisms that have wrapped ashes and its consequences, Edwards is also frank. “I have never seen the media examine the team so much, but I absolutely agree with the amount of control they were under. It should be the same as the male team.
“In the female game, they are simply not used to this level of control because it has never happened before. We have never been to Australia and did it badly, of course, it means that questions are asked to the team and to the configuration. »»
The Farrago, when Sophie Ecclestone refused to be interviewed by Alex Hartley receives a short time: “You know that this will not happen again. Players must understand why we are paid more money is because of television rights and that is part of our obligation as professional cricket to really go to do these interviews. We have to do them and prepare for difficult questions. »»
Edwards feels for Knight, his successor with the captain’s armband. “She will have taken this to heart more than anyone and I know it for a fact because I went there and I did the work.”
She also thinks that after nine years at the helm, Knight could draw inspiration from a former male counterpart. “There is a great comparison with Joe Root. He returned to the ranks and brought his game to another level, I could absolutely see Heather doing this. »»
It is a brand of Edwards’s passion for cricket that she has been talking about for an hour for all aspects of the game for an Indian night after a full day of training with the Mumbai Indians and with another now now a few hours. “I really care about the England team: you don’t play for 20 years, just hang up on your boots and forget. It’s in my blood. I care very much. It was difficult to look at, but I don’t think it’s a job as important as people think. “”
