England women's team captain Charlotte Edwards announced her retirement from international cricket, after representing her national side for 20 glorious years.
Born in Huntingdon, Edwards made her debut for her country at the age of 17 in 1996 and was the youngest player to do so at the time. She has represented England in 23 tests, 191 ODIs and 95 T20 internationals.
Edwards took over as the captain of the team in 2005 and had a very successful stint. She led England to the 2009 World Cup title and the World T20 title the same year. She has also led the team to win their first Ashes in 42 years in 2005 and also helped them win three more titles.
She also has numerous individual records to her name and is the first player in the world to score 2500 runs in T20 internationals. In 1997, she smashed the then highest ODI score of 173 not out in a World Cup match.
"I leave very proud of the standing in which the women's game is held and of my contribution as a player and captain. It's the right time for a new captain to lead the team forward," she said.
The legendary cricketer has been one of the most significant figures in the history of the women's game, not just in England, but across the globe.
Tributes poured in for the right-hander on Twitter, with wishes from her teammates and the entire cricket world, who lauded the fine cricketer for her tremendous contribution to the game.
Her Australian counterpart Meg Lanning also took to the micro-blogging site to wish the 36-year-old.
Twitter handles of official cricket boards also wished Edwards on her brilliant career. #LoveLottie was trending on Twitter.
She is also the captain of Kent Women’s team and will continue to lead them.
Edwards, who was named the ICC women’s cricketer of the year in 2008, will continue to play domestic cricket and will be leading the Southern Vipers in the Kia Super League scheduled in July-August.
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