Neil Edwards is a left-handed former England Under-19 batsman who marked his promise by scoring 160 for Somerset against Hampshire in 2003, winning an award for the best performance by an uncapped player in the process and attracting comparisons with his mentor, Marcus Trescothick, whose upright stance Edwards mirrors. Yet he failed to kick, missing an opportunity as Somerset put their faith in their young batsmen. He fared more respectably in the Championship in 2006 and enjoyed a productive season in 2007, topping 1,250 runs in first-class matches, before playing for Richmond CC in Melbourne during the 2007-08 winter.

After two less successful years he moved to Nottinghamshire in 2010 and made 85 on his Championship debut against Kent, only to suffer a loss of form and a broken hand. His 2011 season followed a similar pattern. After another indifferent run of form, he was sidelined again, this time with a fractured forearm, and struggled to make an impact in 2012, scoring only 317 runs from 15 Championship innings, after which Nottinghamshire announced he would not be offered a new contract for 2013.
ESPNcricinfo staff