On this day in cricket: Lisa Keightley appointed as England Women’s head coach

Former Australia international Lisa Keightley was appointed England Women’s first full-time female cricket head coach on this day in 2019.
Keightley, who was the first woman to score a century at Lord’s, would wait until January to take up her post as she saw out the Women’s Big Bash League campaign in Australia, where she was coach of the Perth Scorchers.
Keightley had previously worked with the ECB as head coach of the England Women’s academy between 2011
and 2015, and had been due to become head coach of the London Spirit in The Hundred before accepting the England role.
Lisa Keightley has been appointed the new head coach of England Women!
She becomes their first full-time female head coach 👏 pic.twitter.com/El9rTazQTQ
— ICC (@ICC) October 30, 2019
“I’m massively excited,” Keightley said as her appointment was announced. “It’s a huge opportunity.
“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.”
Keightley inherited a side who were reigning 50-over world champions, and who had reached the final of the previous 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,” she added. “I’m really looking forward to getting under way and helping the team progress.”
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 30, 2019
In a pandemic-hit first year in charge, Keightley guided England to the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, but their final four contest against India was a wash-out, with India advancing based on group-stage results.
They also enjoyed a 5-0 Twenty20 whitewash of the West Indies, while this year has been highlighted by one-day series victories over New Zealand and India, leaving England second to Australia both in the ODI and T20 world rankings.
Latest
-
News
Jos Buttler admits he needs to find his rhythm as England lose to South Africa
The hosts won the second ODI by five wickets to clinch the series in Bloemfontein.
-
News
Temba Bavuma hits hundred as South Africa secure ODI series win over England
The Proteas chased down 343 at Bloemfontein to go 2-0 up in the three-match series.
-
News
Jos Buttler and Harry Brook give England hope of levelling ODI series
England reached 342 for seven against South Africa, with Buttler making 94 and Brook 80.
-
News
Jason Roy was never ready to ‘roll over’ despite year of setbacks and low points
Roy has for so long been England’s pacesetter at the top of the order but lost his place in the side.
-
News
England batter Jason Roy emotional after return to form in South Africa defeat
Roy’s slump with the bat led to him being dropped ahead of England’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign last year.
-
England
Jofra Archer will ‘get better and better’ but England batting needs more bite
Archer took one for 81 on a hot and sunny afternoon in Bloemfontein.
-
England
England beaten by South Africa in first ODI despite blistering Jason Roy century
Roy scored 113 off just 91 balls but South Africa ran out winners by 27 runs.
-
Women's Cricket
England reach Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup final after winning thriller
With Australia 96 for nine chasing 100, the England captain trapped Maggie Clark lbw to send her side through to face India in the final.
-
England
Jofra Archer toils for little reward as South Africa set England 299 to win ODI
Archer believes he is at about “80 per cent” fitness so some rust was inevitable.
-
Women's Cricket
Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa to have all-female match officials
Three match referees and 10 umpires will form the 13-strong team.