Huntingdonshire heroine Charlotte Edwards has celebrated a magnificent sporting milestone.

The first lady of international cricket captained the England Women’s team for the 200th time as they claimed a five-wicket win over New Zealand late on Monday night.

The triumph clinched a 2-1 victory in the Twenty20 series – the latest in a long line of achievements for the 35-year-old from Pidley.

“It was the perfect outcome,” said Edwards. “I can’t thank everyone who has helped me along the way enough – especially my friends and family, and my teammates for making it such a special day with a series win.

“It is a huge honour to reach this sort of milestone and I’m very proud to have captained my country for so long.”

Edwards made her England debut in 1996 at the age of 16. She took over the captaincy in 2005 when predecessor Claire Connor was injured and succeeded her on a permanent basis the following year.

Her reign has featured three Ashes triumphs as well as World Cup and World Twenty20 glory in 2009.

She added: “I have some wonderful memories to look back on.

“My enjoyment of the game and passion for it gets me through and that is why I have played so many games.”

Opener Edwards could manage only five runs in her landmark game, but England still comfortably surpassed the Kiwi tally of 97-9 to win with eight balls to spare.

Edwards intends to play on until after the 2017 Women’s World Cup.