Charlotte Edwards: No better time to be a female cricketer, says ex-England captain

Last updated on 18 April 2018.From the section Women's Cricket87

Former England captain Charlotte Edwards says there has never been a better time to be a female cricketer.

Edwards has just taken over as Hampshire's director of women's cricket - only the second woman in such a role after Surrey's Ebony Rainford-Brent.

England won last year's World Cup, while this summer's Kia Super League will return for an expanded third year.

There are also plans for a T20 franchise tournament from 2020 to run alongside a proposed new men's event.

"There's no better time to be a female cricketer," she told BBC Sport.

"What a message to give to these young girls now that they can be a professional cricketer, something I could have only dreamed of when I was growing up."

Since retiring from international cricket in 2016 Edwards has completed her coaching qualifications and captained Southern Vipers to the finals of the first two Kia Super League tournaments - winning the inaugural event in 2016.

England trio Shrubsole (left), Heather Knight (centre) and Nat Sciver — Anya Shrubsole (left), Heather Knight (centre) and Nat Sciver all helped England win the 2017 World Cup

Three women - Heather Knight, Natalie Sciver and Anya Shrubsole - were named among Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year earlier this month.

Edwards says it shows how the recognition of the women's game has increased in recent years on the back of two World Cup wins, a World Twenty20 victory in 2009 and an increased profile of events such as the women's Ashes.

"To think that two players had been named previously in however many years, and then you've got three in one year just says it all really," the 38-year-old added.

"Last summer really did change the landscape of women's cricket, certainly in this country.

"It's an unbelievable achievement and fully deserved in terms of their recognition and I know the rest of the team have to take a lot of the credit as well.

"It's a great time to be involved in women's cricket, there's so much happening, not just in England but across the world."

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Comment posted by dougie08, at 11:50 18 Apr 2018
This is great news for the women's game ,but when are the ECB going to address grassroots ,local cricket has been in decline for the past ten years.Get cricket back into schools and cricket back on to free to air tv. Television money only ever feeds the top end of the game,people watching the game inspire's children and young adults to give the game a go.
Comment posted by bayesian_boy, at 12:31 18 Apr 2018
@15

It really isn't misogyny though is it? That is just lazy stereotyping. The biggest reason you see these comments is that women's cricket gets more coverage on here by far than it warrants by popularity and attendance, or quality for that matter.

No matter how hard some try - you cannot shove low quality rubbish down peoples throats when they are used to a far higher quality version.
Comment posted by Spoondog, at 10:42 18 Apr 2018
Having been a regular viewer of women's cricket over the past decade, I fully agree with Charlotte. No doubt some still won't have it, but the fact is the standard of the women's game is improving at a massive rate and whilst there are still areas for improvement, it has become much more professional. Fielding, power hitting, running between the wickets - all unrecognisable from a few years back.
Comment posted by jtay, at 12:29 18 Apr 2018
The BBC's attempt to promote female sport at any cost, is bordering on pathetic. No-one is interested...
Comment posted by User0222811846, at 13:23 18 Apr 2018
Oh I get it now. The BBC is pursuing a deliberate policy of losing its broadcasting rights to popular sporting events...
Comment posted by Nick, at 11:26 18 Apr 2018
She might be right from a playing perspective but to my knowledge it's not a financial success. The ECB plough sky money in the womens setup and county cricket - at the price of club cricket and awareness of the sport. Participation is through the floor thanks to the ECB Pay TV stance and clubs are going to the wall as less youngsters opt for cricket.
Comment posted by jbates1under, at 10:47 18 Apr 2018
Must be an incredible feeling playing in front of 100 people.
Comment posted by Mike, at 15:42 18 Apr 2018
If women's cricket was as good as men's then the crowds would be as big, and it'd have already been bought by Sky.

It isn't, and therefore the BBC are trying to promote it because they can afford it and need to fill their schedules with something.
Comment posted by stucramac, at 13:21 18 Apr 2018
Women’s cricket, in fact women’s sports in general, are only viable due to funding provided by the likes of the ECB and media outlets who have been pressured into it by Govt. They don’t want to been seen as ‘discriminatory’. How long would a women’s football team last financially if it was not backed by the likes of Chelsea. The BBC promote the sports because they can’t compete with Sky or BT.
Comment posted by User0487850496, at 16:01 18 Apr 2018
I wonder if TalkSport have bid for the contracts for the women's games?
Comment posted by User0876915277, at 12:41 18 Apr 2018
I'm sorry but female cricket is boring as hell. I've been to a few games. The boundaries are no bigger than those used by 11 year old school boys. It's a farce and all this hype around it seems so fake and pushed. No thanks.
Comment posted by User0116064281, at 16:00 18 Apr 2018
Women pay the licence fee as much as men, so have every right to coverage of women's sport.

But I'd suggest an initial on the sports section to click 'Men' or 'Women' sports. Either that or have them in different colour headlines.

So many times I've seen an interesting looking article about 'Man City' or 'England' and then realised with disappointment it is related to the women's game
Comment posted by maxdog, at 12:22 18 Apr 2018
You can hys on women's cricket but not BBC losing the right to cover England's winter tests on the radio
Comment posted by propersport, at 13:13 18 Apr 2018
Dear ECB, can I please have £100k a year? as; I play club cricket and have the same ability as the best of the England women's cricket team, and I can bowl spin that lands on the wicket, thanks,
Comment posted by User0813316933, at 13:44 18 Apr 2018
These comments are men saying "I'm not interested in women's sport" and women saying "don't sexist, you should be. We want the same coverage and the same money to compete."

But women don't put their money where their mouth is. Women don't sell out 60,000 seater stadiums, they wouldn't pay for women's sports channels. Women are not interested in women's sport either but insist men should be.
Comment posted by hainba, at 12:32 18 Apr 2018
Cricket should be for everyone unfortunately the ECB is the master of smoke & mirrors and the counties are businesses, with income streams and budgets. Their investment reflects what they can get out of the game and individuals not for the greater good of the game and support of grass roots.
Comment posted by Samlee, at 13:29 18 Apr 2018
What is with people's complete lack of respect and sad attitudes towards women competing and doing well in sports. If you don't like it then don't watch or read about it. Simple!
Comment posted by A right wing pigs ear, at 11:57 18 Apr 2018
'No better time to be a female cricketer, says ex-England captain'

I'm sure. Over exposed, over paid, poor quality. It's a right old blag, get in while it lasts.
Comment posted by Bjorntorekvarme-leg-end, at 16:31 18 Apr 2018
@45 from a commercial standpoint you may have a point e.g. I see no reason why it would be incumbent on a Big Bash team to pay men and women the same - market forces will dictate their pay. However, the ECB has a obligation to promote cricket regardless of gender and personally a cricketer representing their country, be they male or female should IMO be treated the same by their regulatory body.
Comment posted by bayesian_boy, at 15:11 18 Apr 2018
The problem with women's team sports is that the level is so much poorer than the men that is often reduced to farce.

A good junior boy's team would give them a good hiding not just because of superior athleticism but skill level too. This is true is almost any team sport you name.

I know the USA Olympic women's ice hockey got beat in five straight games against high school boys.