England Women are entering a new phase under head coach Charlotte Edwards, with fitness standards now becoming a point of strength rather than concern. After facing criticism following their exit from the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 and a difficult Women’s Ashes campaign in 2025, the team has responded with visible improvements in conditioning and preparation.
In the period before Edwards’ appointment, fitness had become a major talking point. Former spinner Alex Hartley had stated that some players were “letting the team down,” while former coach Jon Lewis pointed to a gap between England and Australia in terms of athleticism and overall preparation during the Ashes.
Raising standards under Edwards
Since taking charge, Edwards has prioritised improving fitness levels across the squad by introducing minimum benchmarks for all players. These standards are designed to ensure accountability while also reshaping the team’s overall approach to preparation.
“We’re in a really good place. The results are all so high. I couldn’t be more chuffed – we’ve made real progress,” Edwards said, reflecting the progress made within the group.
Her approach goes beyond traditional fitness measures, focusing on a broader understanding of performance. “It’s not just all about whether you can run round a track. It’s all the other elements to it that we’ve tried to make just as important.”
Clear expectations driving improvement
The introduction of structured benchmarks has helped define expectations more clearly for players, allowing for measurable progress.
“I think once you set out the expectation, the players know what they need to do. And we’ve added in sort of benchmarks over the winter,” Edwards explained.
This clarity has contributed to stronger engagement within the squad, with players showing commitment to meeting the required standards and contributing to a more unified team environment.
Positive signs ahead of home World Cup
With England set to host the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, the timing of these improvements is significant. Playing at home will bring added pressure, but the team’s enhanced focus on fitness and conditioning is emerging as a potential advantage.
Edwards also highlighted improvements observed during England’s preparations in South Africa, where the team has been involved in an intra-squad series.
“We’ve got to keep raising the standard. The players have fully bought into that, which, that was, I guess what I set out to do and am really pleased with the buy-in. I don’t know if anyone watched the fielding from the recent (intra-squad) series, but it’s some of the best fielding I’ve seen, certainly from our group, the improvements we’ve made.”
A shift in direction
Edwards’ first year in charge is shaping up as a key transition period for England Women. By directly addressing concerns around fitness and implementing clear systems for improvement, she has helped reposition the team with a focus on long-term development.
The emphasis now is not only on meeting standards but continuing to raise them, as England prepare for a major home tournament.
