England ‘not a quick fix’ – Edwards on World Cup exit

Following Jon Lewis’sacking, the former England captain succeeded in a team that was hemorrhaged from a group-stage exit at the 2024 T20 World Cup and a 16-0 Ashes drubbing in Australia.

She had a mixed first summer in her home country, securing numerous victories over West Indies before losing to India in successive series, but she knew her only goal was to make it to the semi-finals.

England only lost to Australia in the group stage, but they did so fairly comfortably to finish second.

However, they fell short of winning the final match of their must-win contest with South Africa, for the first time since 2013 and fell short of winning.

According to Edwards, “I came into this role knowing it would not change overnight.” “We have acted well when we are under pressure, but occasionally we haven’t seized.”

We are progressing, but your results will determine your success. Everyone hoped the final would be held.

In her first six months in charge, Edwards, 45, has never shied away from making adjustments.

Some have succeeded, such as Linsey Smith’s return, whose 12 wickets placed her only among England’s top scorers in the tournament.

Other decisions have been less well received, such as dropping veteran bowler Kate Cross midway through the summer and sticking with out-of-form batter Sophia Dunkley (68 runs) while playing standout domestic opener Emma Lamb in the middle order (36 runs in five innings).

Although Edwards acknowledged that “hindsight is a wonderful thing,” she said that because of her disappointment, her focus is already shifting to the T20 World Cup against England in the summer.

Over the winter, Edwards said, “I’m more hungry now than I was when I worked with these players, and I’m hoping we can do that.”

“Players will be training for the T20 World Cup from December to March,” the coach said. Hopefully, these players can improve their handling of these circumstances.

We have a performance program that targets 13 to 15 players, according to the organization. Right now, it’s exciting. A new generation of players and talent are developing.

England were defeated by South Africa, to be completely honest.

With the Proteas leading with Laura Wolvaardt’s outstanding 169, they were forced to choose to bowl, leaving them with 319-7.

England needed to reach the final with their highest successful women’s ODI chase, and the second-highest in World Cup history, behind Australia’s 331 against India.

Instead, they fell to 1-3 with seven balls to go before being bowled out for 194 with only 45 remaining.

However, Alex Hartley, a former England international and 2017 World Cup winner, claimed that Edwards’ side did not do much wrong in Guwahati.

Before England’s top order collapsed, they were simply “outplayed” by South Africa and punished for an expensive final 10 overs with the ball, which the Proteas smashed 117 runs.

“I won’t go out and scout the team,” he said. Hartley told BBC Test Match Special, “I don’t believe England did much wrong.

“When you compare the scores at the halfway point between the two innings, England was essentially neck and neck,” according to the statement.

“I don’t believe they did much wrong,” he said. They didn’t bowl as many wides or slot balls as they did catches, mishandled, or had many of them.

Instead of bowling on leg stumps, they could have tried to make Laura Wolvaardt change her game and try to get her to change, so she was able to hit into the leg side.