England captain jets in to lead Fury charge
Charlotte Edwards has barely stopped in 2014.
The England women's cricket captain has had a hectic schedule at international level, as well as completing her duties at domestic level in the UK.
But that hasn't stopped the top- order batter from coming all the way to Perth to lead the Western Fury this season.
Despite struggling with jet lag ahead of her first session with her new team last night, Edwards declared she would be more than ready for the Fury's first Twenty20 fixture against Queensland at Murdoch University on Friday.
"I feel as fresh as I've ever felt," she said. "When you have got a challenge like this I think you just can't wait to get under way.
"The excitement and challenge of what's coming up has made me forget about any mental or physical tiredness I might have."
Edwards' arrival is a much-needed boost for the Fury after they lost former captain and Australian player Nicole Bolton to Victoria over the off-season.
The 34-year-old will play all the regular-season rounds and hopes to be available if they make the finals.
She almost went to South Australia in 2008, but said she was always going to play for the Fury when she decided to come thanks to her close friendship with WACA chief executive Christina Matthews.
"I've never played in the Australian domestic league, which is something I probably would have regretted once I'd finished my career," she said.
"It's the best league to play in and as a player you want to play against the best. I have always scored runs here so I have good memories."
One of those memories was spearheading England to an Ashes Test victory at the WACA Ground earlier this year, but Edwards insists she wants to help develop WA talent while she's here, even if that means trouble for England in the long run.
"I'm keen on developing the youngsters," she said. "Hopefully another WA player will represent Australia soon.
"I am here to do a job and I'll put my heart and soul into it."
The Fury have not won any silverware and missed the finals last season.
Edwards was cautious about expectations despite her own rich form, which includes four 50s in her past five knocks.
"We have got to be realistic, NSW and Victoria are clearly the dominant teams in the competition and Queensland won last year," she said.
"But there's no reason that we can't push those teams if we perform at our best."
