World Cup-winning captain Charlotte Edwards has been announced as England’s new head coach, replacing the ousted Jon Lewis. Edwards, who also won the Ashes five times during her playing career, has enjoyed remarkable success in franchise cricket and has long been mooted as a potential England coach. The England & Wales Cricket Board have turned to the 45-year-old now after Lewis was sacked on the back of a dismal winter that saw England crash out of the T20 World Cup group stage and then lose 16-0 to Australia in the multi-format Women’s Ashes. “I am so delighted to once again be part of the leadership of the England Women’s cricket team, and I cannot wait to take this team forward and drive us to success,” said Edwards, who won both the T20 and 50-over World Cups as captain in 2009. “It means the world to me to have the three lions on my chest once again. Leading England as captain was my life for 10 years and I will forever be passionate about this team and our legacy. “We have such a talented group of players, and I am excited about working with them and improving them both as individuals and as a team.” Edwards will take charge for the first time when England host West Indies in a T20 series early next month, before a three-match ODI run against the same side sees preparations ramp up ahead of the 50-over World Cup in India later this year. Among her earliest tasks will be appointing a new captain, with Heather Knight having also been sacked in the aftermath of a miserable winter. “We have the immediate challenge of two home summer series, and then it’s straight into the ICC Women’s World Cup in India this autumn, with a home ICC Women’s T20 World Cup next summer,” Edwards added. “There’s also the mouth-watering prospect of the first ever Olympics for women’s cricket in LA 2028. I’m relishing the prospect of winning trophies and taking this team forward.” Edwards was heavily linked with the England job when Lewis eventually replaced Lisa Keightley in 2022. She has enjoyed major success with both the Southern Vipers and Southern Brave in English domestic cricket, as well as with the Mumbai Indians at the WIPL and Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash. “When we drew up the criteria for the job it became apparent very quickly that Charlotte was the outstanding candidate,” said Clare Connor, the ECB’s managing director for women’s cricket. “She has the experience, passion and expertise to lead this team to success. The results she has achieved as a Head Coach in multiple environments, since retiring as one of the greatest ever England players, is testament to her relentless drive and the standards she sets for those around her. “She is a proven winner; she has won repeatedly as a player and now as a coach. She possesses a deep knowledge of the game, both in England and across the world, and she understands the importance of creating an environment that is both challenging and supportive. “We are delighted to be able to appoint her as Head Coach of the England Women’s team and we’re hugely excited for what’s to come.”