Thursday 8 December 2016 10:22, UK
Former England captain Charlotte Edwards has signed for Hampshire following her departure from Kent in December.
Edwards, who turns 37 later this month, led the Ageas Bowl-based Southern Vipers to this year's inaugural Kia Super League title and has now made the permanent move along the south coast after spending 16 seasons with Kent.
She will feature for the Hampshire Women's side next season, alongside her role as skipper of the Southern Vipers and position of non-executive board director of Hampshire Cricket Ltd and Southern Vipers Ltd.
Edwards said: "I'm delighted to have signed for Hampshire Cricket. After spending the last year at the Ageas Bowl with the Southern Vipers it felt the right move for me to play my last few years of cricket with the club.
"The opportunity has come at a great time in my career and I look forward to playing with such a young and exciting group over the next few seasons."
Hampshire Women head of performance and Southern Vipers manager, Bob Parks, said: "We're delighted to welcome Charlotte to Hampshire ahead of the 2017 season.
"She has been exceptional during her time at the Ageas Bowl so far as part of the Southern Vipers and the immense value, experience and knowledge she adds will be key in driving the improvement of women's and girls' cricket in Hampshire and across the Southern Vipers region."
Edwards, who captained the England Women's side for more than a decade before retiring from international cricket earlier this year, totalled more than 10,000 international runs during her 20-year career.
The right-hander also claimed four Ashes series victories, a world T20 title and World Cup crown as England captain, while also being awarded a CBE for her services to cricket in 2014.
Under Edwards' leadership, the Vipers claimed five victories in six fixtures in the 20-over competition, including a superb seven-wicket win over Western Storm in the first ever Kia Super League final at Chelmsford.
She also led Kent to a domestic double in 2016, her ninth and 10th trophies during her time with the club.
