Charlotte Edwards: England's best hope for Ashes glory
IF you picked up a paper, logged onto the internet or caught a broadcast of television news at the beginning of the week, there is a fair chance you'll have seen England cricketing queen Charlotte Edwards proudly holding aloft the ICC World Twenty20 trophy.
It was another unforgettable moment for a lady fast becoming a fixture in the media spotlight. Edwards was emblazoned over almost half of the front page of The Times and covered the entire length of the Guardian's sport supplement on Monday.
Delve a bit deeper into the world of women's cricket than the predictable sexist gags of not being able to hit the ball off the square and bowling at the speed of a snail, and you'll find some real talent and tremendous success.
Next pages: Factfile - Everything you need to know about Charlotte Edwards
Charlotte Edwards: The cricketing queen in her own words
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Long after Paul Collingwood and his male flops had floundered in the Super Eights stage of the men's competition, "Charlie's Angels" were basking in the glory of another splendid success.
The 29 year-old, who actually grew up in the village of Pidley, is the captain of a national team which has sampled success in two different World Cups, as well as an Ashes series.
There are not many skippers able to make a boast like that, but Edwards is no ordinary sporting star. She has had a habit of breaking records since her infant days.
Charlotte was born into a cricketing family (her late father Clive was a capable performer for Ramsey and a skipper of the Hunts & Peterborough senior side, while brother Daniel also plays the game) and was only four when she first wafted the willow.
Such unprecedented success might have been unimaginable back then, but over the following years it quickly became clear that Edwards was something out of the ordinary.
She starred for the Hunts Under 13s boys team as an 11 year-old, and was called into the England Under 19s ladies side at just 12. She then became the youngest England Test player at 16.
"She was never pushed into anything," Clive told The Evening Telegraph back in 1992 after her Under 19s call-up. "She's a pretty good tennis player and is not bad at soccer either, but Charlotte decided she wanted to play cricket and that was that."
It has proved to be a pretty inspired decision in the years since.
Her powerful batting and occasional slow bowling (think Kevin Pietersen, but easier on the eye and minus the arrogance) have ensured she has remained a fixture of the national set-up ever since.
A whopping 156 England appearances later and she has sampled the sort of sporting experience that many can only dream about.
Not only has Edwards held all the biggest prizes in the game, she has graced many of cricket's most famous arenas, from Lord's and the Sydney Cricket Ground to playing in front of 80,000 screaming supporters at Eden Gardens, in Calcutta.
Her long list of achievements is likely to receive further entries this summer. Edwards was back in action yesterday in a Twenty20 clash against Australia at Derby – the start of a busy summer of action against their rivals from Down Under.
Five one-day internationals follow before, just like for the men, The Ashes are on the agenda. The ladies' series is decided by a one-off Test match, which starts on July 10.
If proof of her contribution to her chosen career is still required, check out the final three letters of her name . . . Charlotte Edwards MBE.
Next pages: Factfile - Everything you need to know about Charlotte Edwards
Charlotte Edwards: The cricketing queen in her own wordsEverything you need to know about Charlotte Edwards
Full name: Charlotte Marie Edwards
Born: December 17, 1979 in Huntingdon
Age: 29
Education: Ramsey Ailwyn, Ramsey Abbey, Cambridge Regional College
Nickname: 'Lottie'
Playing honours: Captained England to World Twenty20 title and World Cup 2009, captained England to a successful Ashes defence 2007, part of the England team that won the Ashes 2005.
Other honours: Evening Telegraph Sportswoman of the Year 1998. England player of the year 2004 and 2005, ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year 2008, awarded the MBE 2009.
England appearances: 157 (124 one-day international, 17 Test, 16 Twenty20)
Charlotte is second in the list of all-time one-day international appearances: Karen Rolton (Australia) 137, Charlotte Edwards (England) 124, Belinda Clark (Australia) 118, Debbie Hockley (New Zealand) 118, Haidee Tiffen (New Zealand) 117.
Charlotte is the highest run scorer in women's Twenty20 cricket with 505 to her name in 15 appearances (a tally not including her exploits on Thursday)
She is the third highest run scorer in Test cricket, having amassed 1,317 runs in 17 matches and the fourth highest in one-day internationals with 3,657 runs in 124 matches.
She celebrated her 18th birthday by amassing a then-record and career-best 173 not out against Ireland in a World Cup match the previous day.
Charlotte slammed 12 centuries for club, county and country in 1997 alone – a year in which she won the European Cup with England Under 21s.
It hasn't been a pain-free journey to the top. Charlotte missed virtually all of the 2000 season with a cruciate ligament injury picked up playing hockey.
Next page: Charlotte Edwards: The cricketing queen in her own wordsCharlotte Edwards: The cricketing queen in her own words
What the cricketing queen told The Evening Telegraph at the time about her best moments.
WORLD TWENTY/20
(June 2009)
England beat New Zealand by six wickets in the final at Lord's to lift their latest crown.
Charlotte said: "To win a tournament like this on our home ground Lord's is very special.
"We came back from winning the World Cup and were determined to win this trophy as well.
"We produced our best bowling and fielding performance in the final and I am so proud we were able to do that."
RECEIVING THE MBE
(June 2009)
Edwards described her award – recognition for a sparkling career spanning more than a decade – as one of her proudest ever moments.
Charlotte said: "It's a huge honour and tops off an amazing year perfectly.
"It has been given to me for services to cricket for a number of years and I'm obviously really chuffed.
"I was completely surprised, but very proud, when I found out."
WOMEN'S WORLD CUP
(March 2009)
The Kiwis were again on the receiving end as England notched a four-wicket final success in Sydney.
Charlotte said: "It is something we have been working towards for four years.
"It will take a long time to sink in, but I am sure it will become a special moment that we will remember for the rest of our lives.
"The team have been absolutely amazing."
THE ASHES
(February 2008)
Edwards hit the winning runs at the Bradman Ovel in Bowral as England retained the trophy in a one-Test series.
Charlotte said: "I'm delighted. To win in Australia is a fantastic feeling.
"I could not be prouder of all my players who played fantastic cricket over four days to continually have the upper hand and pull through.
"We started well and never let Australia back into the game."
A CENTURY OF INTERNATIONAL CAPS
(February 2008)
A milestone achieved at the magnificent Sydney Cricket Ground and capped by a match-winning innings of 70 in a one-day international against Australia.
Charlotte said: "It was a fairytale game for me. To score 70 not out and hit the winning runs to beat Australia in Australia on my 100th one day international is fantastic.
"It is great to have joined a pretty elite group of cricketers, although I think the rest of the girls were more excited about my 100th game than me!"
APPOINTED ENGLAND CAPTAIN
(March 2006)
Edwards was named as successor to Clare Connor as skipper and showed an uncanny knack of seeing into the future.
Charlotte said: "It is a great honour for me to be asked to captain my country and something I will do with great pride.
"It is something I have always dreamed of and will relish the role. The long-term goal is to win the World Cup in 2009 after retaining the Ashes in Australia."Charlotte Edwards: The cricketing queen in her own words... continued
BATTING HER WAY INTO THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS
(May 2003)
Edwards cracked an astonishing 224 in an English Premier Ladies League match when playing for Kent Invicta – the highest score made by an English woman in competitive cricket.
Charlotte said: "It was just one of those days when everything hit the middle of the bat.
"Every shot seemed to go exactly where I wanted. I just kept going and going and I was pretty pleased at the end!"
MAKING MORE CRICKETING HISTORY
(July 1996)
Edwards became the youngest player to line up for England in a Test match when facing New Zealand aged just 16.
Charlotte said: "There was a bit of pressure on me, but I wanted to show everyone it is about ability and not how old you are.
"It was strange to find myself talking to papers like the Independent, the Sunday Express, the Observer and the Guardian as well as television and local radio."
ENGLAND UNDER 19 CALL-UP AGED 12
(July 1992)
She impressed the selectors despite being five years younger than anyone else at the trials.
Charlotte said: "I was amazed when they told me I was in the team.
"There were some really good players at the trial and it was so great to be selected."
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