Edwards admits award surprise

Charlotte Edwards was amazed after landing the ICC Women Cricketer of the Year

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England Women’s captain Charlotte Edwards has admitted she was almost speechless after being named ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year.

Edwards captured the coveted title at the glittering LG ICC awards ceremony in Dubai and, having arrived back in Britain, told ECBtv she was delighted with the accolade.

“I looked a bit surprised! It was an unbelievable feeling. To have the sort of year we have had as a team and to win this award is just really special,” she said.

“I knew Claire Taylor and myself were in with a good chance but I didn't know what the stats were, I was just happy to be there and to know that I have contributed to a good year for England.

“To finally get to the awards ceremony and to win it has topped off a magnificent year for us, I’m really chuffed.”

Edwards’ troops have revelled in a host of success over the course of this summer after retaining the Ashes on Australian soil, a feat which the 28-year-old rates above their subsequent unbeaten exploits against West Indies, South Africa and India.

“I’ve been saying it didn’t get any better than that, but after going the whole summer unbeaten and then winning this award it does seem like a long time ago that we won the Ashes.

“That is still the highlight for me though!”

Edwards is delighted with the current crop of players and points to the mix of youth and experience within the team as a defining factor in their success.

“Its definitely the best England side I’ve played in. The blend of youth and experience we have is fantastic and I just think we gel really together as a group.

Edwards proudly displays her award in Dubai after being named the top player in women's cricket

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“There are some really, really talented group of players in this group and it is really exciting to be captain of them and to lead them out every time.”

“Just to win those amount of games on the run is really great for the team and they deserve every success they get because we work so hard.

“Playing at Lord’s was definitely the highlight this summer. The girls had their brilliant partnership and Katherine (Brunt) got five wickets, so just to do so well again at the home of cricket is really special.”

Edwards is now relishing the next six months as England travel to the scene of their initial triumph Down Under for the World Cup, a tournament her side go into having been firmly installed as favourites.

“Next year is unbelievable. The six months we have from March onwards is going to be absolutely fantastic and I’m always using it in my team talks because it so going to be a special year.

“The next six months it's all to play for and we are going into it with a really, really good chance. I thought the World Cup might come a year too early but it might be the right timing so I’m really excited.”

With the ICC World Twenty20 also taking place in England next summer alongside the men’s competition Edwards knows her side have a golden opportunity to snare both crowns should they emulate the form they have shown over this summer.

“To win both of them would be unbelievable but the World Cup comes first and hopefully on March 22 at Sydney I’ll be able to lift the trophy.”