Charlotte Edwards spoke to the press after England retained the Women's Ashes in Hobart
Delighted England captain Charlotte Edwards said retaining the Women’s Ashes in Australia was one of her "most treasured moments" in cricket after she led her side to a nine-wicket win in the first Twenty20 international at Hobart.
The 34-year-old hit an England format-best 92 not out, from 59 balls, as she batted through a successful pursuit of 151 with 13 deliveries to spare.
Edwards, who took the match award, said: "This means everything to us. To win in England was really special but to come out here and win the Ashes in Australia in the multi-format is something really special.
"I love playing cricket for England and I love leading this team - and this is probably one of my most treasured moments to date."
Edwards, who combined in a game-winning, unbroken stand of 114 with half-centurion Sarah Taylor, struck the winning runs when she lofted Erin Osborne for four to midwicket.
It sparked joyous celebrations, Edwards raising her arms above her head as her team-mates rushed on to the Bellerive Oval pitch to congratulate her.
Edwards, whose side lost the second and third one-day internationals as Australia kept the series alive, added: "It was emotional.
“The last two games we haven't played as well as we'd have liked so I was pretty determined this morning that I wasn't going to give up the Ashes without a fight.
"I knew it was important that we played well here today - and we did that.
"This has been a real team effort over the Test match and the one-dayers and I'm so proud of these girls, what they've done and how they've stood up over here. It's a pretty special win."
With several injuries in the squad, including Heather Knight and Anya Shrubsole today, Edwards revealed her satisfaction with the performances of the less experienced bowlers.
She said: "I've had a few sleepless nights. When you've got Anya Shrubsole gone down and Katherine Brunt's not here (it's a worry), but the young bowlers have stood up brilliantly on a really good wicket out there.
"And then to bat the way we did on a really good pitch - obviously a quick pitch which suits me - was just fantastic."
Edwards, who has now won five Ashes series, explained this one was the most rewarding because of the different formats involved.
She added: "(This one is) the best by far because the multi-format really tests us in every discipline and to win the Test match in Perth was fantastic - and the way we've played throughout this whole series, we've got a lot to be proud of."