Charlotte Edwards named Sydney Sixers head coach for 2022 WBBL

Edwards, who is currently head coach of Southern Vipers and Southern Brave, represented Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers in the WBBL and later served as the Strikers' assistant coach for five seasons

Sydney Sixers have named Charlotte Edwards as their new head coach for the 2022 Women’s Big Bash.

The 42-year-old former England captain replaces Ben Sawyer, who led the Sixers to two titles and two second-place finishes in seven seasons at the helm before taking a full-time position within the Australian women’s team set-up.

However, Edwards does not have an easy task at Sydney Sixers, inheriting a side who haven’t reached the knockout stages since WBBL04 (2018/19) and picked up the wooden spoon in 2021.

Fortunately, Edwards is no stranger to success. As a player, she captained England to twin World Cup titles in 2009, while as a head coach, she has steered Southern Vipers to back-to-back Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy crowns and Southern Brave to the final of The Hundred.

In the WBBL, she represented Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers, scoring 603 runs in 23 appearances, before spending five years an assistant coach with the latter. During her time on the coaching staff, Adelaide reached two finals, losing to Brisbane Heat (WBBL05) and Perth Scorchers (WBBL07).

^{Sydney Sixers celebrating their second WBBL title [Paul Kane/Getty Images]}

"I’m extremely excited to be offered the role with the Sixers who are one of the most successful women’s domestic teams in the world," Edwards said. "To be associated with a team like the Sixers is really exciting for me and I really can’t wait to get started."

"The vision for the Sixers is to bring back trophies for the club. More importantly is the way we do that, and I think the way we do that is to play a really exciting and entertaining style of cricket that hopefully the fans are proud of and want to come and watch. That means a lot to me and the group."

Leah Poulton, Cricket NSW’s head of female cricket, said: "Ben has been a wonderful leader over many years at the Sixers and he’s done a fantastic job developing a generation of players.

"We are proud not just of Ben’s achievements but also of the way in which he worked so hard to build a culture within the team and a connection with our members and fans.

"Charlotte brings with her extensive leadership experience and a reputation for bringing out the best in those around her. She has already demonstrated a clear vision for the team, it’s an exciting brand of cricket which I’m sure will appeal to our fans."

Sydney Sixers have filled seven of their 15 roster spots ahead of the 2022 season, with Alyssa Healy, Maitlan Brown, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Nicole Bolton and Jade Allen all under contract.

Given Edwards’ connection to Southern Vipers, it would not be a surprise to see an English player or two among the Sixers’ overseas contingent come the autumn.