Charlotte Edwards to bat at four in Women’s Ashes Test
Monday 10th August 2015
Kent and England captain Charlotte Edwards is looking forward to leading out her country at her second home, The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence on Tuesday in the Kia Women’s Test.
The 35-year-old batsman has won six county championships at Kent and said: “Lord’s is the pinnacle to play at but Canterbury is my second home. We’ve always had a good history of development and players here are at Kent.
“Over the last 15 years I’ve been playing here, the club has provided great support for women’s cricket and the junior set-up has consistently produced England players and hopefully that continues.”
With the men regaining the Ashes at Trent Bridge on Saturday, Edwards says the women are hoping to draw inspiration from the see-saw series in the sole four-day fixture between the rivals this summer.
The record-breaking skipper, who is set to play her 23rd Test on Tuesday, said: “It’s amazing how the game of cricket can change in a week and we’ve taken a lot of heart from that.
“Four points is probably the right amount and we are looking to getting back in the series with a good performance."
Edwards refused to give any hints on selection for the showpiece match but did reveal she will stay at number four, her preferred role in Test cricket with county colleagues Lydia Greenway and Laura Marsh also in the squad.
“I’ll look at the pitch on Tuesday morning and we’ll make a decision on selection. I would imagine batting first and putting runs on the board would be a good thing to do.”
2015 is a landmark year for the women’s game with the entire Ashes series televised and broadcast live on TV and radio as well as the advent of a Women’s Super League coming in 2016.
Kent are one of 28 bids to land one of six franchises to compete in T20 next summer with a 50-over competition added in 2017.
Edwards said: “The prospect of a Women’s Super League is incredibly exciting and although my focus is elsewhere at the moment, I’m looking forward to playing in it next summer.”