Don’t see a reason why women can’t coach men’s teams, says Lisa Keightley
Asked how the role came about, Keightley said it was Royals' Director of Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara who approached her.
Lisa Keightley has been appointed the new head coach of the England women cricket team on Wednesday. She will replace Mark Robinson as the head coach, who had stepped down from the post earlier this year. After the announcement, Keightley has now become the first full-time female head coach of the England women’s team.
The 48-year-old is currently the chief coach of Western Australian as far as the Australian domestic circuit is concerned. She also has experience of coaching Perth Scorchers in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
“I’m massively excited. 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 said after her appointment.
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“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,” she added.
Keightley’s tenure will formally begin in January 2020 after the conclusion of the Women’s Big Bash League Tournament. Until then interim head coach Alastair Maiden will continue to be with the team.
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