Edwards humbled by MBE

Edwards cherishes England's World Cup triumph in Australia and now has a personal accolade to add to the trophy

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England women’s captain Charlotte Edwards was understandably delighted to be awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

Edwards led her country to World Cup glory Down Under in March, just over a year after presiding over England’s Ashes retention. In 2008 she was named ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year.

The 29-year-old, who at 16 was the youngest woman to play for England, is currently plotting another triumph in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20.

She told ecb.co.uk: “I’ve had to keep it quiet for a few weeks but I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet. The last few months have been quite hectic and this has topped off a special few months for me.

“It’s a great honour and, I guess, it’s (for) my services to cricket over a number of years. It’s something I am very proud of and I know my family are.

“It’s really special. At the moment it’s hard for it to sink in because we’re so busy with the Twenty20 World Cup. But I think it’s something, once the summer’s finished, I’ll look back on it and it’s a really great honour.”

Edwards’ side thrashed India by 10 wickets in Friday’s World Twenty20 opener and she is determined the honour will not be a distraction for the hosts.

She picked up the match award for an unbeaten 61 off 53 balls on the back of 1-23 from four overs. Next up are Sri Lanka tomorrow before England’s last group game against Pakistan on Tuesday.

“I’ve had a few more phone calls than I normally would on a day off. I’ve been used to quite a few media requests recently with the World Cup win,” she admitted.

“I think all the girls will be really pleased for me. We’ve got a big game on Sunday so it won’t be a distraction at all.”

Edwards is determined for England to top their group, which would secure a semi-final at The Oval on Friday.

Edwards believes team-mates such as the ever-impressive Claire Taylor could receive similar honours in the future

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A second-place finish will see the hosts play at Trent Bridge on Thursday, after the tournament moves on from Taunton.

“We’re really pleased with our first performance. It’s really important now we back up that win with two more and hopefully we’ll clinch our semi-final spot and hopefully be playing at The Oval next week,” she said.

“There’s a lot to play for still and we’re looking forward to Sri Lanka come Sunday.”

Edwards’ team ethic has been crucial to England’s success since she took over the captaincy on a permanent basis from Clare Connor after the 2005 Ashes triumph.

That was the start of an incredible couple of years for women’s cricket in the United Kingdom, marked by numerous individual and team accolades.

“The team stuff to me is the most important thing,” she added. “The World Cup win has been amazing and has done an amazing amount for women’s cricket.

“It’s another reflection of the players after Claire (Taylor) got the Wisden Cricketer of the Year earlier on in the year and it’s more reflection for women’s cricket, which is fantastic.”

Edwards anticipates some of her team-mates could be similarly decorated in years to come, notably England’s star batsman Taylor.

“It’s probably not too far away now," Edwards added. "She’s achieved quite a lot in the game but the other girls now are putting in some really good performances. Who knows? In years to come they’ll be in the same position as me.”