Jon Lewis appointed as England women's head coach

L 47-year-old replaces Lisa Keightley, who resigned at the end of the summer after opting against the request for a contract extension.

Lewis, who won 16 caps in three formats, worked as a bowling coach for the England men's team.

It will support the West Indies women's tour, which begins on December 4.

The three one-day internationals and five T20s in the Caribbean will serve as preparation for the T20 World Cup in South Africa early next year.

"This is a new challenge, and one that I can't wait to throw at you," said Lewis, who signed a four-year contract until 2026.

"I watched fr remotely during years and it's clear there's plenty of reason to be optimistic about this team's chances going forward."

Lewis worked with England men under Chris Silverwood and most recently Brendon McCullum last summer.

He was part of the England Lions squad during their training camp in Dubai.

Lewis beat competition from namesake Jon Lewis, the former Durham manager, and Australian Ashley Noffke to land the women's role in England.

The former Gloucestershire, Surrey and Sussex bowler will oversee a women's team inine from England whose fortunes fluctuated in 2022.

Thoroughly beaten in the Ashes in Australia, captain Heather Knight was on the e side on the verge of an early World Cup exit in New Zealand, only to recover and reach the final, where they were beaten by Australia.

A comprehensive home win over South Africa was followed by a disappointing Commonwealth Games, where England missed out on a medal.

With Knight and vice-captain Nat Sciver absent from the late summer meeting with India, the England won the T20 series but failed to lose the ODI match 3-0, the final match of which was overshadowed by a Mankad controversy.

Lewis inherits team on the verge of transition - 17 at the center players under contract, seven are aged 29 or over, eight of whom are 24 and under.

The likes of Alice Capsey, Freya Kemp, Issy Wong and Lauren Bell are emerging and benefiting from the success of the female Hundred.

Knight and vice-captain Sciver are both set to return for the West Indies tour - Knight from hip surgery and Sciver after missing the India Series to focus on his mental health.

< p class="" data-reactid=".yqmphqxs52.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-19">All major women's cricket titles are currently held by Australia, who arrive in the UK to defend the Ashes, a series that includes a test at Trent Bridge and T20s at Edgbaston, The Oval and Lord's.