World Cup comes home to Taunton

England captain Charlotte Edwards gives some tips in Taunton - the venue of the World Twenty20 group stage

Forty-five days after England became world champions, Charlotte Edwards and Caroline Atkins toured Taunton, the home of women's cricket, with their World Cup.

England claimed the Women’s World Cup for the third time in Australia in March. The team, led by Edwards, held its nerve to beat New Zealand by four wickets. Edwards was named captain of the team of the tournament that was put together by the World Cup commentary team.

England currently holds both the Ashes and the World Cup and their next challenge is the World Twenty20 with the group stage matches beginning on 11 June in Taunton.

The semi-finals and final will then be played on the same day at the same venues as the men's equivalent matches - Trent Bridge, The Brit Oval and Lord's.

The Women's World Cup tour began with a launch at Somerset on Monday. Edwards and Atkins were welcomed and congratulated by England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke, along with Councillor Jefferson Hosley and Somerset Club executive Richard Gould.

The players then took a skills session at Somerset's indoor school with the winners of the Western Daily Press school competition, Thurlbear School, and then with both runners-up, Worle School and Stalbridge Primary.

As part of their prize, Thurlbear also won the chance to watch the Women's World Twenty20 match between England and Sri Lanka match on Sunday 14 June in style from a corporate hospitality suite.

To finish the first day, the players took their silverware to Musgrove Park Hospital where they visited the children's ward. Smiles were abundant as the children held the cup and met the players.

Day two was action packed with a visit to Orchard Court Nursing Home where the players were welcomed by residents and even had a 'team photo'.

Edwards gets a soaking from his team-mates as she collects the ultimate prize in the women's game earlier this year

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An in-store appearance at ASDA, proud sponsors of the girls only Kwik Cricket Competition followed where the players had a mock-game in the fruit aisle with a healthy eating feel.

Next up were visits to Wellsprings School and Archbishop Cranmer, the two schools that are adopting them through the World Twenty20 tournament. These schools will see the players in action in June in the World Twenty20 tournament.

Edwards and Atkins enjoyed an in-store visit to NatWest where they judged a colouring competition. They finally finished with a coaching session with the Mini Sabres Cricket Club in the centre of excellence at the County Ground.

"It was a great thrill to get out into the Taunton community and show off our World Cup trophy," said Edwards.

"We visited hospitals, schools, nursing homes and sponsors and the positive response we received was heart-warming."

ECB's head of women's cricket Clare Connor added that the two players were great role models.

"I have to say that our pride in our world champions just keeps growing," she said.

"Both Charlotte and Caroline volunteered to spend these two days in Taunton to take the World Cup to the Somerset community that has supported them so well in the past.

"They are admirable role models and they have certainly not let their World Cup glory affect their passion and commitment to give back to the game and to work alongside ECB in growing the game for girls through such visits to schools and cricket clubs.

"I would also like to thank Giles Clarke and Richard Gould for the part they played in facilitating these two days of visits."

Edwards and Atkins show off the World Cup during their trip to Taunton