We know we can beat India: England womens coach Charlotte Edwards
Edwards, one of the most successful England captains who led her side to a grand double in ICC events in 2009 by winning the 50-over and T20 World Cups, is currently the coach of the national side, and feels her team can beat any opposition in the world.
'We were massively challenged (against India) and that's how we want women's cricket to be," Edwards was quoted as saying on the BBC Stumped podcast.
India Women, under Harmanpreet Kaur, had achieved historic success in the recently-concluded multi-format series in England, defeating the home team in both the T20I and ODI series for the first time.
India's path-breaking win was widely celebrated with experts predicting Harmanpreet's side could break the jinx of not winning a World Cup trophy in the showpiece event, to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka in September-October this year.
'It wasn't a reality check. We know we can beat India. We are going into a World Cup where we know if we play our best, we can beat any team," said Edwards.
Edwards, who has been only six months into the coaching assignment with the national team, added they were working hard to get rid of the tag of being a poor fielding side.
'It is something we are working on, we know we have that tag now. Sometimes I get frustrated because we can drop one catch and we are labelled a bad fielding team, even though we have fielded really well otherwise," opined Edwards.
Edwards started off her tenure as England coach with grand success against the West Indies at home by winning all six matches of the white-ball series. But the side was brought down to earth by India a couple of months later, partly due to its poor fielding.
'I am confident we can get to a place where people are talking really positively about our fielding," she said.
Edwards also said her captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and spinner Sophie Ecclestone were in 'good shape" ahead of the World Cup. Both the players are currently holding the No.1 spot on the ICC Women's ODI Player Rankings. PTI AM AM AH AH
view comments
First Published:
August 15, 2025, 13:30 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
BCCI brings in 'serious injury replacement' for domestic red-ball tournaments
CHENNAI: WEEKS after India keeper-batter Rishabh Pant's injury during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England, which had sparked debates about injury replacements, the BCCI has brought in a major rule change for the upcoming season of domestic cricket. Earlier in June, the ICC had said that replacement of players (domestic first-class cricket) for injuries will be trialled by full-member nations. According to the BCCI's playing conditions prepared for the 2025-26 season which begins later this month, a "serious injury replacement" clause has been introduced where a player, who suffers an external injury, can be substituted with a like-for-like replacement. This change, which was briefed in a seminar to the umpires ahead of the season in Ahmedabad, is applicable only for multi-day red-ball tournaments and not white-ball cricket. For the rule to be applied, the player would have had to sustain the injury during play and within the playing area — it includes external blow which results in fracture or deep cut or dislocation and so on — and is ruled out for the rest of the match. If that happens, the on-field umpires will have the authority to decide on the extent of the seriousness and whether the replacement is permitted; they can consult the match-referee and doctor on the ground. Once it is deemed so, the respective team manager can submit the request on a standard form as soon as possible for a like-for-like replacement. "The BCCI Match Referee should ordinarily approve a Serious Injury Replacement Request if the replacement is a like-for-like player whose inclusion will not excessively advantage his team for the remainder of the match. In assessing whether the nominated Serious Injury Replacement should be considered a like-for-like player, the BCCI Match Referee should consider the likely role that the seriously injured player would have played during the remainder of the match, and the normal role that would be performed by the nominated Serious Injury Replacement," the new playing condition reads.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Pogba watches as Monaco start Ligue 1 season with a win
Paul Pogba watched as Monaco easily beat Le Havre 3-1 in their Ligue 1 opener on Saturday as Lyon won away at Lens. HT Image The 2018 World Cup winner's appearance in the locker room at the Louis II Stadium was one of the highlights of the first half. Dressed in a vintage Monaco jersey, a cap on his head, and a big smile on his face, Pogba saw his team quickly take the measure of an outclassed Le Havre. Midfielder Pogba signed a two-year contract with Monaco from Juventus this summer in a bid to relaunch his career back home in France. The former Manchester United player had made only 12 appearances across the last three seasons due to injuries, suspension and an extortion case in which he was the victim. However to see Pogba in a Monaco jersey, fans will have to wait a little longer, along with Guinea-Bissau forward Ansu Fati, the club's other big summer signing. Adi Hutter's hosts proved dominant particularly in midfield opening after 32 minutes after Gautier Lloris bundled Aleksandr Golovin's powerful cross into his own net. Englishman Eric Dier, also a summer signing, doubled the lead with a header from a well-taken Lamine Camara corner just after the hour mark. Le Havre pulled a goal back six minutes later when Rassoul Ndiaye got the better of new Monaco goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky before Maghnes Akliouche put the result beyond a doubt after 74 minutes. Earlier Georges Mikautadze scored the only goal as Lyon got their campaign off the mark at Lens. Mikautadze struck at the end of the first half to give the seven-time Ligue 1 champions their first win since American businesswoman Michele Kang took over as president in June to save the club from relegation after compatriot John Textor resigned amid financial irregularities. Lyon turned the page on this era by winning against their former coach Pierre Sage, who took over at Lens after Will Still's departure. Financially constrained for summer signings, Lyon built its success with what it already had with strikers Malick Fofana and Mikautadze and midfield stalwart Corentin Tolisso combining well. Fofana ran rings around the Lens defence, breaking through at the end of the first half when he provided an ideal cross to Mikautadze. Despite 18 shots on goal, Lens were unable to deliver with Wesley Said and Deiver Machado both missing numerous chances. New recruit Florian Thauvin came off the bench for Lens after 57 minutes to rapturous applause from the home fans but despite bringing creativity and freshness, the World Cup winner could not make the difference. bur/ea/dmc JUVENTUS FOOTBALL CLUB
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Wallabies stun Springboks at Ellis Park from 22-0 down in Rugby Championship
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Australia toppled South Africa at Ellis Park for the first time in 62 years with a sensational 38-22 comeback win from 22-0 down in the Rugby Championship opener on Saturday. HT Image The Wallabies scored a remarkable six straight tries against the double world champion and Rugby Championship titleholder to earn one of their greatest wins in the professional era. Australia came to the highveld battle-hardened from the narrow home series loss to the British and Irish Lions, but its record in South Africa made it an obvious underdog. It hadn't won in South Africa since 2011 or at Ellis Park since 1963. The Springboks underlined their credentials by sprinting to 22-0 in 17 minutes with three well-made tries. But they never scored again. Australia didn't panic, absorbed the blows, tightened its defense and watched a Springboks side packed with 18 World Cup winners surprisingly wobble as the pressure was returned. The Wallabies, down 22-5 at halftime, didn't go ahead until the 64th minute through captain Harry Wilson's second try and last act of the match. They added two more tries to finish the stronger team at an altitude in which they have traditionally struggled for decades. This was only their second ever win over the Boks at their spiritual home in 92 years. 'At 22-0 down, there was real courage again from the players,' Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt told broadcaster SuperSport. "We were forced to take a few risks and there were a few lucky bounces for us, so we are not going to get too carried away. 'At the same time I am incredibly proud of the group. I am realistic about getting a little bit of luck, but delighted we came back. Nineteen-sixty-three was a long time ago so the players are delighted.' Following the heaviest defeat by the Springboks since Rassie Erasmus took charge in 2018, the coach admitted he was embarrassed to go to the press conference. "We were really awful,' he said. "They beat us in most departments. We didn't scrum them, they beat us in the lineouts, and they bullied us at the breakdown after Siya Kolisi went off and Marco van Staden had to go off for an HIA. "Tactically, we totally overplayed every time we thought something was on. I don't think they tactically outsmarted us but they physically dominated us, and the interesting thing is that the longer the game went on they were supposed to struggle but it just shows what Joe Schmidt is building there.' Wilson opened the second half scoring a soft try from replacement prop Angus Bell's pass into a gap 25 meters out. Len Ikitau limped off and Australia patched the midfield with Andrew Kellaway, and put flyhalf backup Tane Edmed on the wing for the injured Dylan Pietsch. Australia blew two consecutive attacking lineouts to narrow the 22-12 gap, and managed it only when rugby league convert Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i intercepted flyhalf Manie Libbok from 55 meters out for his first test try. They finally hit the front when fullback Tom Wright set up Wilson, who appeared to be cramping as he crossed the try-line for a second time. Wilson left. Two minutes later, a giant double miss-out pass by James O'Connor released right wing Max Jorgensen to score another long-range try. The fourth goalkick by O'Connor, the fourth-choice flyhalf playing his first test in three years at age 35, sent Australia 33-22 ahead with 14 minutes left. South Africa and its renowned 'bomb squad' of replacements couldn't break the inspired Wallabies. The coup was completed with five to go. Just outside the Australia 22, Jesse Kriel's overhead inside pass to Andre Esterhuizen was knocked on straight to Wright, who cantered to the other end. The Springboks feasted on Italy and Georgia last month but Erasmus gathered them for the Australia game a week earlier than scheduled, a compliment to the Wallabies' resurgent effort against the Lions. The decision paid off early. Wing Kurt-Lee Arendse jogged in for the opening try inside two minutes. Libbok converted, added a penalty, then hit the post when he tried to convert a long-range try finished by center Esterhuizen. Five minutes later, captain Kolisi was over. At 22-0 after 17 minutes, the lack of tension prompted the crowd of 51,300 to do a Mexican wave. Ruck penalties against South Africa gave Australia momentum, and Ikitau looped around O'Connor to free left wing Pietsch for Australia's first points after a half-hour. But Pietsch walked off soon after, clutching his jaw after tackling Kolisi's shoulder. Pietsch and Wilson are doubts for the second round in Cape Town next Saturday. ___ AP rugby:
