Lisa Keightley will leave her role as England Women head coach
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)England women’s head coach Lisa Keightley is to step down from her role at the end of the summer.
The former Australian international has been in the post since the start of 2020 and led her side to the semi-finals of that year’s T20 World Cup, as well as the final of the 50-over World Cup earlier this year.
The 50-year-old was also in charge for this summer’s Commonwealth Games as T20 cricket made its debut, but England disappointed as they missed out on the podium following a semi-final defeat to India and then a loss against New Zealand in the bronze medal match.
However, it is understood that the decision to part ways at the end of Keightley’s contract was agreed earlier this summer and would have been announced anyway, regardless of England’s performance in Birmingham.
She will remain in charge for September’s two white-ball series against India, with the recruitment process underway to appoint a new head coach building towards next year’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
“We are incredibly grateful for the commitment and passion Lisa has shown over the last two-and-a-half years in the role,” said director of England women’s cricket Jonathan Finch. “We have seen increased competition for places over the last 12 months and the squad Lisa leaves is an exciting blend of youth and experience.
“Leading an international team is challenging at the best of times. It is more challenging during a pandemic, and Lisa has been able to continue the development of the team during what has been the toughest period we have faced off the field.”
