England coach Charlotte Edwards to introduce minimum fitness standard for players

England coach Charlotte Edwards is rolling out a “minimum fitness standard” and calling for more accountability in the area from players after a 16-0 whitewash in the multi-format Women’s Ashes earlier this year.

Former batter Edwards, who captained England in more than 200 matches, replaced coach Jon Lewis last month amid England’s efforts to revive its form ahead of this year’s 50-over World Cup in India.

“The players are very aware there will be minimum fitness standards come this time next year… there has to be more accountability in the area,” Edwards said on Tuesday, a day before her first match as England coach.

“Before the World Cup, it is about individuals improving as much as they can in that time… I am not going to set fitness standards (now) because there haven’t been any standards in place.”

The 45-year-old, who named her first squad for the upcoming series against West Indies, took the call to drop England’s ace spinner Sophie Ecclestone. Ecclestone was ruled out of selection due to a knee injury she picked up at the Women’s Premier League two months ago, but has been playing for Lancashire recently.

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Edwards said the players had spent the last few weeks working hard to improve their fielding, an aspect of the game that came under heavy criticism during their dismal Ashes campaign.

“Physically they are in a really good place as well and we have some great fielders within our T20 squad. It’s a big part of the game and we know that,” Edwards added.

England hosts West Indies in three T20 matches and three One-Day Internationals between May 21 and June 7, with India visiting for a limited-overs tour later next month.

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