Hampshire Cricket has announce that Southern Vipers’ captain Charlotte Edwards has been appointed a Non-Executive Board Director of Hampshire Cricket Ltd and Southern Vipers Ltd.

Edwards, who led the Ageas Bowl based Southern Vipers to this year’s inaugural Kia Super League title, will be helping Hampshire Cricket, the Southern Vipers and their various stakeholder organisations with their strategy of broadening cricket’s appeal across Hampshire and the South Central region more generally.

Hampshire Chairman, Rod Bransgrove, said: “Charlotte’s vast experience and tremendous knowledge of the game at both domestic and international level make her a fantastic ambassador for English cricket generally and especially cricket in this region.

“She has been pivotal in the development of women’s cricket in this Country and continues to do so within Hampshire as captain of the Southern Vipers – we are very pleased that she has agreed to join our Board and look forward eagerly to her contribution to the business in this capacity.”

Charlotte Edwards said: “I’m delighted to have accepted this new role as a member of the Board of Directors for Hampshire and the Southern Vipers.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Ageas Bowl so far and I’m looking forward to working more closely with the club moving forward to help drive the development of cricket across Hampshire, alongside my role as captain of the Vipers.”

The right-hander, who captained England Women’s side for more than a decade before retiring in May, is one of the most prolific players in the history of the women’s game after scoring more than 10,000 international runs during her 20-year career.

Edwards claimed four Ashes series victories, a World T20 title and World Cup crown as England captain, whilst also being awarded a CBE for her services to cricket in 2014.

Following her retirement, Edwards joined former England teammate Lydia Greenway, Natasha Farrant and Wisden’s Women’s Cricketer of the Year, Suzie Bates as members of the Southern Vipers franchise for 2016.

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 last month.