Charlotte Edwards retires: Record-breaking England captain announces her international retirement

Edwards ends a 20-year international career in which she achieved a record 309 caps and won the World Cup, World T20 and the Ashes

Charlotte Edwards has announced her retirement from international cricket (Getty)

Charlotte Edwards, England's long-serving and highly-successful women's cricket captain, has announced her retirement.

Edwards, 36, has called time on a 20-year international career - during which she has led her country to victory in the Ashes, World Cup and ICC World Twenty20.

She also made more than 10,000 runs across the formats at the top of the order for her country, and won a record 309 caps.

Edwards, who led England in 220 matches, explained her decision to retire with immediate effect and has reflected on a captaincy career which included three Ashes successes and a World Cup and World Twenty20 double in 2009.

"Everyone who knows me - and how much I love playing for England - will appreciate what a difficult decision it has been for me to retire from international cricket," she said.


 Edwards won 309 caps for England - more than any other player 
 (Getty)

"It's a decision I've reached after much thought and detailed discussion with [England coach] Mark Robinson and [director of England women's cricket] Clare Connor about what is best for the team going forward.

"I have given 20 years to playing for England and I leave very proud of the standing in which the women's game is held and of my contribution as a player and captain."

Edwards has lived her dream, in an era of sustained achievement for her team.

She added: "As a 16-year-old girl making my debut for England, I couldn't have dreamt that I would have had such an amazing time with so much success.

"I've travelled the world, won World Cups and Ashes series and shared it all with some of my closest friends.

"However, nothing lasts forever."


 Edwards celebrates with teammates after winning the 2009 World Cup 
 (Getty)

Edwards has mixed feelings about the end of her career, but has agreed to call time and allow Robinson to mould a new team. The England and Wales Cricket Board will announce her successor in due course.

"I believe now is the right time for a new captain to lead the team forward and for young players to be given more opportunities to make their mark on the international game," she said.

"After honest and open discussions with Mark, it became clear that he wants to build a new team - and I fully support that.

"I would have loved to have carried on - and while I am disappointed that I won't be doing so, I fully understand and respect what Mark is looking to do.

"This is a new era and he wants other players to come to the fore to build a strong team.

"Aside from the team's successes and my own personal record, I am most proud of where the women's game is now."

Edwards has made more international appearances than any other female cricketer, and has made more Twenty20 runs for her country than any other man or woman worldwide.

Her Ashes victories as captain came in 2008 and 2014 in Australia, and 2013 in England. In 2008, she was the International Cricket Council's women's player of the year and - following those back-to-back Ashes successes - in 2014 was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year and awarded a CBE.


 Edwards poses with the Ashes trophy after winning the 2014 series 
 (Getty)

ECB chief executive Tom Harrison paid her a rich tribute.

"Charlotte Edwards has been at the heart of the England women's team and a major force in international women's cricket for two decades," he said.

She leaves the most wonderful legacy, having inspired countless women and girls around the world to pick up a bat and a ball and play the game she so clearly loves

&#13; <p>Tom Harrison, ECB chief executive</p>&#13;

"Her outstanding achievements in the game during that time are unrivalled, and in many aspects, are unlikely to ever be surpassed.

"She leaves the most wonderful legacy, having inspired countless women and girls around the world to pick up a bat and a ball and play the game she so clearly loves.

"On behalf of the ECB and everyone involved in England cricket, I would like to thank Charlotte for her very special contribution to the game."

Connor added: "In a staggering career spanning 20 years, she has achieved it all. She has witnessed great change: from making her debut in 1996 when, aged 16, she paid £50 for the privilege of her first England blazer to turning fully professional for these twilight years of her career.

&#13; Edwards captained England 220 times during her career &#13; (Getty)

"Unlike her sport and her journey through it, Charlotte the person has barely changed.

"Despite the CBE, the professional contract, the media requests and the World Cup medals, she has remained constant, true to herself, an impeccable role model for our sport and, indeed, for all women in sport."

Edwards will continue to play domestic cricket as captain of Kent and the Southern Vipers, in this summer's inaugural Kia Super League.

PA