The brand new coach of the England girls’s cricket squad is reserving judgement on the crew’s health however admits “extra accountability” is required in that space after a summer season Down Beneath marred by a 16-0 thrashing and claims of poor conditioning.
Charlotte Edwards, England’s all-time main run-scorer within the worldwide area, was revealed this week because the successor to Jon Lewis, who was sacked last month following the team’s historic Women’s Ashes series defeat.
Former England spinner Alex Hartley was critical of the team’s fitness whereas commentating in Australia on the Ashes, remarking: “About 80 per cent of the England crew are match and athletic sufficient, however there are women in that facet who’re letting the crew down in relation to health.”
READ MORE: ‘Gets targeted’: Gould leaps to defence of Dogs star
READ MORE: ‘Can put it to bed’: Haas speaks out on eligibility switch
READ MORE: Curry surpasses LeBron with insane 50-point feat
Hartley mentioned the remark minimize so deep that some coaches and gamers had given her “the chilly shoulder”. Former teammate Sophie Ecclestone even refused to be interviewed by her, Hartley mentioned.
Health has subsequently been a sizzling subject within the UK press following Edwards’ unveiling as coach.
“When it comes to health, I am going as much as Loughborough [an English town] subsequent week and the crew can be in a health session, so I am going to decide them on that subsequent week,” Edwards mentioned.
Charlotte Edwards, the brand new coach of England’s girls’s cricket crew. ECB by way of Getty Photos
“What I do need is extra accountability from gamers round health.
“I do not need that to be a speaking level shifting ahead. That is actually vital to me.
“When it comes to our skilled requirements, anybody who is aware of me, I set fairly excessive requirements, in order that’s one thing I will be instilling inside this group.
“It is a recent begin for us all. And I actually cannot look forward to the prospect of getting began.”
Edwards additionally mentioned in an interview with the BBC: “Health is a non-negotiable. We ought to be match.”
Edwards’ reign as coach will start with three T20s and three one-dayers in opposition to the West Indies at dwelling throughout Might and June.