ECB hits jackpot with decision to begin England's Ashes recovery by fast-tracking Edwards

Last time the England head coach role became available, in August 2022, Charlotte Edwards did not even apply; she believed that she did not yet have enough experience under her belt.

- Raf Nicholson

Less than three years later, the England and Wales Cricket Board has concluded that she is such a perfect candidate for the job that it expedited her application, somehow condensing the period between firing one coach (Jon Lewis) and hiring another into the space of three weeks.

Edwards's record as head coach now speaks for itself: since domestic women's cricket entered its professional era in 2020, she has led Southern Vipers to five out of nine available titles. She has also won the Women's Hundred, coached a side to the final of the Women's Big Bash League in Australia, and (less than three weeks ago) won her second Women's Premier League in India.

It is sometimes said that brilliant players do not translate into brilliant coaches, but Edwards - who during her 20-year playing career won a 50-over World Cup, a T20 World Cup and lifted the Ashes five times - is a notable exception to the rule.