Lisa Keightley has been confirmed as the new Head Coach of England Women.
The 48-year-old is currently the Head Coach of Western Australia in Australia's domestic competition and Perth Scorchers in the Women's Big Bash League.
The former Australia international - who previously served as Head Coach of the England Women's Academy between 2011 and 2015, and who has the distinction of being the first woman to score a century at Lord's - has become England Women's first full-time female Head Coach.
"I’m massively excited - it’s a huge opportunity," she said.
"It’s a team full of world-class players and to be given the chance to work with some of the players who I worked with a few years ago is really exciting. I can’t wait to get started and see where we can get to.
"England are the current 50-over World Champions and they made it to the final of the last ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. They’re a very competitive side and they wouldn’t be in big matches like that if they didn’t have a really strong group of players who can perform on the big stage. I’m really looking forward to getting underway and helping the team progress."
Keightley will begin her role in January, with her first assignment being a T20I tri-series in her home country against Australia and India.
The series will serve as a warm-up for the February's World Twenty20 down under - the tournament in which Nottinghamshire's Kirstie Gordon made a memorable international breakthrough in 2018.
"Lisa was the stand-out candidate from a varied and highly talented group of applicants," said Clare Connor, Managing Director of Women's Cricket.
"The interview panel [made up of Jonathan Finch, Clare Connor, John Neal and Tom Harrison] were unanimously impressed by Lisa’s demonstration of her suitability for the role, her impressive knowledge of the game and her passion for coaching and developing players.
“She outlined clear plans as to how she believes she can take the team and this group of players forward.
“Lisa will become the first full-time female Head Coach of the England Women’s team. I am excited about the progress our sport continues to make and I‘m sure that Lisa’s appointment will rightly be seen as another huge step for women’s cricket.”
Keightley was appointed as Women’s Head Coach of London Spirit in The Hundred, and will be stepping down from this position. Her replacement will be announced in due course.
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