Edwards: Ashes win means everything

England captain Charlotte Edwards won the Women's Ashes for a fifth time and then warned Australia she is not done yet.

The 34-year-old hit an England record 92 not out, from 59 balls, as she batted through a successful pursuit of 150 for three.

Edwards combined in a match-winning 114-run second-wicket stand with Sarah Taylor (50), before hitting the winning runs when she lofted Erin Osborne to the mid-wicket rope.

It sparked joyous celebrations, with an emotional Edwards raising her arms above her head, as her team-mates rushed onto the Blundstone Arena to congratulate her.

"I'm getting a bit soft I think," she said.

"To hit the winning runs and to lead the team out here is a pretty special feeling for me as an individual.

"It means everything to score the winning runs and lead the team."

It was a near-perfect moment for the England captain, but not one she is prepared to retire on following a glittering career.

Instead Edwards suggested she wanted to play on for another three years at least.

"While I'm playing the type of cricket I am playing at the moment I'll be around for a bit longer I think," she said.

"I'm as fit as I've ever been, I'm as hungry as I've ever been and there's a 2017 World Cup in England which hopefully I'd like to be part of."

Success meant Edwards' side were able to do what the men emphatically could not, and retain the Ashes six months after winning them in the summer.

The veteran admitted back-to-back engagements with Australia had left her emotionally drained since their important Test victory, which kicked off the multi-format series at the start of the month.

"Both series have been mentally tough," she said.

"I've had many sleepless nights throughout the Test match, throughout the one-day series.

"It's going to be nice tonight to have a few drinks and hopefully get a good night's sleep.

"It's hard doing back-to-back Ashes, without a doubt because you get to know the players quite well.

"That's what makes it extra special that we've done it out here, which was ultimately going to be our toughest challenge."