Charlotte Edwards: An unassuming end to a modern cricketing legend

Shivnarine Chanderpaul, VVS Laxman, Waqar Younis, Mark Waugh, Mohammad Yousuf and now Charlotte Edwards. The list of great cricketers who were unable to step away from cricket on their terms is a lot longer than the ones that got the opportunity to, like Sachin Tendulkar.

In many ways, the latter is the exception that proves the rule that the longer you are in the sport, it makes it more difficult to quit on your own terms. While it is true that Charlotte Edwards called time on her England on her own terms (in front of a roomful of journalists at Lord's, no less) that is nothing more than a technicality.

After all, the only reason why she had to make that decision barely a month after the Women's World T20 where she finished as the second-leading run-scorer and one of only three players to average over 50 in the tournament was because of coach Mark Robinson's decision to no longer include the legendary England captain in his plans for the side in the upcoming months.

And so after nearly 20 years of being the backbone of the England top order, battling through every obstacle thrown in her way much like her ability to hold the fort alone with the bat, her career has come to an end.

From being the captain of a boys team growing up to paying for an England blazer, working for a local bat company and training after working till 5pm to being the person responsible for the introduction of Chance to Shine Coaching Ambassador contracts in 2008 to eventually the awarding of professional contracts in May 2014, Edwards' career has seen more than its fair share of thrills and spills.

A career full of highlights

From making her Test debut as a 16-year-old against New Zealand, it was always evident that Edwards was going to be a player of some repute, having just become the youngest player to represent England at the time. But few, if any, could have predicted the impact that she would go on to have as a player.

While she might like to play down her records, such is the sheer scale of her achievements that they deserve to be repeated more than once. Given the intensity of the rivalry between England and Australia, many would consider her winning of the Ashes in 2005, after 42 years as one of her greatest achievements. Then there was the back-to-back Ashes wins in 2013 and 2014.

Yet, it was her achievements in 2009 that are perhaps the most praiseworthy. She captained the England side to the giddy heights of two World Cups, both the 50-over format and the World T20 and also won the Ashes in the space of eight short months.

While few have managed to stay at the top for as long as she has, the fact that she has been captain of the side for most of that time and has broken several records with the bat is something that must just be marvelled at.

No one has scored more ODI runs than her in women's cricket and she also holds the record for most runs in T20Is (both men's and women's). Add all of that to more than 300 international appearances, a CBE and a Wisden Cricketer of the Year and you know that her career has been one that has been packed with plenty of highlights.

Legacy unlike any other

Yet, for all of her records, she has always maintained that there is nothing more special than being a role model.

"My personal record and team record stands for nothing, really," she said. “Just being a role model for young girls. I didn't have a female role model growing up, a cricketer, so to think I've done that is really special to me.”

And that is one thing you cannot take away from Edwards, who bows out of international cricket as one of the few players in the history of the game who has been able to revolutionize the game both on and off the pitch.

While all of her records as a captain and a batsman might not stay with her forever, her contribution to women's cricket, especially in England, but also in the world means she will never be forgotten.

A team player above all else

As a captain, Charlotte Edwards achieved unparalled success

Despite being the proud owner of several records on the field, it is her work off the pitch that is likely to make her an endearing memory in the hearts and minds of every cricket fan.

While it is true that former England captain and current head of women's cricket Clare Connor has been a major factor in the women's cricket revolution in England, if it hadn't been for all of Charlotte Edwards' success on the pitch then Connor wouldn't have been able to start a revolution from the boardroom.

Yet, success can be a cruel mistress at times. And so it has proved to be the case as far as Edwards' swansong goes. While it is true that she has still been in good form with the bat, the results on the field didn't go according to plan, her captaincy was beginning to get out-dated and a shock loss to India in Tests, followed by an Ashes defeat at home all in front of a hitherto unseen media interest meant her time was coming to an end.

The palanquin bearer, who had brought home the crown jewel of women's cricket in England, professional contracts, was coming to the end of hers. Although she was expecting to be replaced as captain, even she didn't see her not playing any part in the upcoming matches coming.

"I was more than happy to step down as captain, but there was a real hunger to continue playing," she said. "I'm really happy with where my game is at. [Robinson] spoke to me honestly that he saw the next series as an important series for him to develop players and take the team in a new direction…there isn't a place for me in the team.”

Here was a chance for her to set the record straight and go out with the farewell she deserved, and on her own terms, but she instead chose to put the team first, like always, and go out with minimal fuss.

So what if she didn't get the farewell her glittering career deserved and instead became an unfortunate victim of the new era she managed to create, she leaves behind the game a better place than she found it.

Isn't that every cricketer who steps onto the hallowed 22 yards wants to do? For that and all for all the memories of grace and control, thank you, Charlotte Edwards. Women's cricket in England will forever be in your debt and international cricket will be lucky to find another player, captain and pioneer like her.