England Women appoint Lisa Keightley as new head coach

Lisa Keightley has been appointed as the new England Women's head coach, the ECB has announced.

Keightley, 48, replaces Mark Robinson and becomes the first full-time female head coach of the side, having previously coached Australia Women as well as England Women's Academy.

The Australian played nine Tests and 82 one-day internationals and is currently head coach of Perth Scorchers in the Women's Big Bash League and Western Australia in Australia's domestic competition.

"I'm massively excited," Keightley said. "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.

"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."

Managing Director of Women's Cricket, Clare Connor, added: "Lisa was the stand-out candidate from a varied and highly talented group of applicants.

"The interview panel [Jonathan Finch, 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.

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"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 will officially take up her new role in January after the conclusion of the WBBL, with Alastair Maiden continuing as interim head coach until then. Keightley was also due to coach London Spirit in The Hundred but will now step down from that position but her replacement is yet to be appointed.