'I wish I was playing in the Olympics'

	The England Women's Player of the Year, 2012 © Getty Images Enlarge
Related Links Players/Officials: Charlotte Edwards Teams: England

What has been your best cricketing moment?
The whole three-month period after winning the World Cup in 2009 has to be the best thing that's happened to me. When you've played for as long as I had and dreamed of doing something so much, it's just a magnificent feeling when you achieve it. The fact we won the World Cup away from home, in Sydney, made it extra special too. You experience a whole load of emotions. I was just so overwhelmed by it all. I couldn't stop crying, which, when you look back on it and see the pictures, is actually a bit embarrassing.

What did you do with your first Test cap?
When I first played for England we were under the control of the WCA [Women's Cricket Association] and things were a lot different than they are now. I've still got the cap and blazer that I bought for that game at home. They will always be very special, as I paid out of my own pocket for them. Fortunately now the game has developed and now we're brilliantly supported by the ECB in everything we do.

Are you a hoarder of memorabilia?
Kind of. My mum's got a lot of the stuff in her house as mine isn't big enough. I've got a couple of bits but my mum has things like my 100th cap and bats and things like that.

You're one of the greatest women cricketers the planet has ever seen. How do you feel when you hear those words?
I just love cricket and I'm incredibly proud that I've had a chance to play the game. There's still a lot more that I'd like achieve, and that keeps me pretty hungry. The women's game has evolved massively, so to play a small part in that is special.

You've just been elected to the MCC World Cricket Committee. What does your role there entail?
To be honest, I don't know a huge amount about it. I was asked last November, when Mike Brearley rang me up, and I was very excited. It's great recognition to have a female member on the committee and I'm looking forward to the first meeting in August and finding out more about what they do.

Who was your cricketing idol as you grew up?
Steve Waugh. Australia dominated when I was watching and playing growing up and he was a particularly gutsy individual and captain which I admired.

Is he the best captain the game has ever seen, then?
It's very hard to say. If you've got good players playing for you, captaincy is relatively easy. Stephen Fleming did an incredible job with a New Zealand team that didn't have all the stars. He managed to get the best out of his players.

What's the best piece of cricketing advice you've ever been given?
To enjoy what you do. Cricket is a simple game that's overcomplicated at times. I always say to the kids now to keep it simple: stop the good balls and hit the bad ones.

You worked in a cricket bat shop. What makes the perfect bat?
I used to go on what it looked like. I liked a close grain but I've moved away from that now. It's all about pick-up and how it feels. I'm very lucky in that I get some very good bats and most of them go well.

Classy cover drive or a cute reverse sweep?
Got to be a classy cover drive - but I'm not adverse to a good reverse sweep either.

The Olympics is coming up. Do you have any Olympic buzz?
I do - I wish I was in it! It's very exciting and I'm looking forward to watching it. I love my sport.

Are you handy at any other sports?
I played hockey and squash in my younger days but now it's all about cricket.

Who's the next Charlotte Edwards coming through the ranks?
There's a young girl who's 15 called Georgia Hennessy. It's always exciting to see a young batter coming through, and she's scored big runs at county level. There are girls in the England team like Sarah Taylor who can achieve a lot more than me, though.

Which one item can you not live without?
Either my phone or tomato ketchup. Both play a huge part in my life.

Describe yourself in three words.
Bubbly, determined and driven.

What would be your perfect meal?
Steak and chips - but don't tell the nutritionist!

Marmite. Love it or hate it?
Oh, I love it.

Will you stay in cricket when your playing days are up?
Anyone that knows me knows I love the game and I'll never be too far away from it - but I'm far from finished yet.