‘Very short’ list for England women’s captain, says coach Edwards

There are “very few” candidates to take Heather Knight’s place as captain, according to New England head coach Charlotte Edwards.

In May, England will elect a new skipper for the series against West Indies, likely starting with veteran Knight vice-captain Nat Sciver-Brunt.

Sciver-Brunt, 32, is currently on maternity leave, with a potential return on May 6 when The Blaze take to Essex. The Windies’ series opener against England will take place on May 21.

When asked about appointing a captain, Edwards responded, “We’re very close, it should be very soon.

I’m anticipating that being made public so that things can move forward. And of course, that will be very important given the series that will air in May.

Following a terrible winter, which saw England lose every match to the Ashes and exit the T20 World Cup in the group stage, both Knight and his former head coach Jon Lewis were fired.

Edwards, a legendary former England player, was named Lewis’ replacement earlier this month.

Sciver-Brunt stated in January that she would “love” the chance to become a captain during the Ashes.

At Lord’s, Edwards was addressing the unveiling of a portrait of her in the Long Room. The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) commissions the 45-year-old artist, following fellow England internationals Rachael Heyhoe Flint and Claire Taylor, as the third and final.

Women’s cricket has come a long way, Edwards asserted. It’s really overwhelming to have a portrait of myself with some of the greats. I’m extremely happy that things have advanced. This club is a wonderful place for women to play and have fun.

England’s all-time leading runscorer, Edwards, played more than 300 international games between 1996 and 2016? In Edwards’ 10-year tenure as England’s captain, they won the Ashes three times, as well as the T20 World Cup and the 50-over competition.

Women were still two years away from receiving MCC membership and admission to the Long Room when Edwards first played one-day internationals against South Africa at Lord’s in 1997.

“We were permitted in the changing room, down the stairs, and then by the committee room,” Edwards said.

It was a little unusual, I thought. I didn’t really think anything of it at the time. I was overjoyed by the opportunity to play at Lord’s because I thought it was incredible.