Charlotte Edwards appointed as Southern Vipers head coach

Edwards will take charge of the new Southern Vipers side for the commencement of the new Women’s Elite Domestic Structure, having previously occupied the role of Director of Women’s Cricket at Hampshire Cricket since 2018. The set-up, which will see eight new regions competing against each other, has been created to offer female players across the country the best opportunity to reach their full potential. While domestic cricket activity is still suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, planning is underway to hopefully start the first year of the new Women’s Elite Domestic Structure later this summer. Charlotte Edwards said: “I am thrilled and honoured to be named as Head Coach of the Southern Vipers. It’s an incredibly exciting time for the women’s game with the introduction of the new Elite Structure Competition. "I am looking forward to working with the extremely talented players we have within our region, with our main purpose to develop a successful Southern Vipers culture and future England cricketers. “I have been very lucky to be involved with the Southern Vipers since its inception in 2016 and I’m very passionate about the organisation and the region. "I look forward to working with Adam Carty to continue the success we’ve had previously and help shape the future. This is a wonderful opportunity to be involved at the start of a new professional era for the women’s game and I can’t wait to get started.” Regional Director of Women’s Cricket, Adam Carty said: “I could not be happier to be able to announce Charlotte as Head Coach of the new Southern Vipers organisation. "After writing the blueprint for previous Southern Vipers success as a player, captain and team manager within the KSL, she brings a wealth of experience to the role, not only as a world class player but also a formidable competitor and an outstanding tactician. "The guidance and support she will bring to the Vipers’ players and support staff will be second to none." Edwards, who captained England Women for more than a decade before retiring from the national side in 2015, is one of the most prolific players in the history of the women’s game after scoring more than 10,000 international runs during her 20-year career. Edwards claimed four Ashes series victories, a World T20 title and World Cup crown as England captain, whilst also being awarded a CBE for her services to cricket in 2014. Following her international retirement, Edwards joined the Southern Vipers for the inaugural Kia Super League in 2016, and her excellent leadership helped the squad secure the first KSL title in the opening campaign. The former standout batter sealed a more permanent move to the Ageas Bowl in 2017, signing as captain of the Hampshire Women’s side where she helped secure promotion to the First Division for the first time in the team’s history and a Division Two T20 title. She also led from the front in another successful Kia Super League campaign that summer, before announcing her retirement from professional cricket in 2018. ***** A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton: In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers. With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers. Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. Stay safe, and best wishes.