Jon Lewis has been sacked as England Women’s head coach after the humiliating 16-0 whitewash in the Ashes earlier this year.
Australia retained the Ashes in a series that led to a lengthy review by the England and Wales Cricket Board, and unsurprisingly the culmination of that has resulted in the head coach’s exit.
Lewis said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as England Women’s Head Coach. Unfortunately I won’t be able to finish this incredibly challenging but enjoyable job of developing this young team, whilst winning and growing the women’s game in this country.
“I have worked tirelessly with this group of young players to develop their skills and understanding of modern-day white-ball cricket, whilst still making good progress in 2024, winning 83 per cent of all our games.
“I am proud that we have seen unprecedented bumper crowds in 2023 and 2024 and I am determined to continue to help drive women’s cricket forward in whatever comes next for me. I wish all the players the best and thank them for letting me be part of their journeys.”
Lewis’s remark that “cultural differences” were to blame for Australia’s superior athleticism were met with widespread derision and an Australian t-shirt company made a new item in its honour.
Ultimately, there are few head coaches who can survive an Ashes defeat, in men’s or women’s cricket, and a heavy loss in Australia is almost always followed by changes at the top.
Lewis had not worked in women’s cricket before he was appointed in November 2022, and oversaw the side as they won 52 of their 73 matches, but crucially faced an early T20 World Cup exit and Ashes defeat in the last few months, winning no major trophies during his tenure.
ECB managing director of England Women Clare Connor said: “I’d like to thank Jon for all he has given in his time as Head Coach. He came into the role after a very challenging period for cricketers during the Pandemic, and one of his priorities was to create the right conditions for the team to flourish and develop.
“Under his leadership the team held off Australia to draw a thrilling 2023 Women’s Ashes – attracting record crowds with an entertaining brand of cricket – while the team’s consistent success in bilateral cricket included a remarkable eight consecutive ODI series wins for which he should take real credit.
“While the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and Women’s Ashes in Australia have been disappointing, there is no doubt about the talent we have available and we will look to appoint a successor shortly. We must be ready for an exciting summer of international cricket and to challenge for two World Cups over the next 15 months, including the T20 World Cup in this country next year.”
Who will take over? Telegraph Sport looks at the contenders to replace Lewis ...
Charlotte Edwards
Has to be among the favourites for the job as a former England captain, who led her side to the first Women’s T20 World Cup in 2009. After retiring in 2018, she has coached in franchise leagues, including Mumbai Indians in the WPL, Southern Brave in the Hundred and Sydney Sixers in the WBBL.
Undoubtedly one of the most qualified candidates for the job and has convinced players to join her clubs primarily down to her prestige – dubbed the “Lottie effect”. Whether Edwards would want to return to the set up while those she played with at England level are still sitting in the dressing room remains to be seen. She ruled herself out of the job the last time it was available.
Matthew Mott
Mott was in the commentary box during the Ashes, offering an insight into the inner workings of the Australian team, and there are few who would be better suited to bring England up to the required standard. When asked about coaching England Women, Mott said “you never say never” although insisted he was happy with his new role.
Mott worked with Australia between 2015 and 2022, winning everything in the game before taking over the England men’s white ball team. From the outside, Mott would be the ideal solution, bringing a touch of that all-conquering Australia side, but after losing the men’s white-ball job, he might be reluctant to work with the ECB again.
Jonathan Batty
A former Surrey captain who also played for Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire, Batty has progressed as a coach in the women’s game. He has worked as head coach of Delhi Capitals, Oval Invincibles and until the end of the 10th WBBL, the Melbourne Stars – so is experienced in women’s cricket.
As Lewis’ appointment showed, it is not easy to switch from working in the men’s to the women’s game, but Batty would come in with a wealth of experience behind him, although he has not worked at international level.
Ben Sawyer
After taking over in 2022, Sawyer guided the New Zealand women’s cricket team to T20 World Cup glory at the most recent edition of the tournament in Dubai. He signed a new contract with the national side until 2026, but England would be a significantly better-funded option.
Sawyer has also worked as an assistant coach with Australia’s women before taking up the job with the White Ferns, and is the Birmingham Phoenix women’s head coach. Enticing Sawyer away from New Zealand, especially given their recent victory, would be a significant task.
Luke Williams
Has coached in a number of franchise circuits including for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the WPL, who finished bottom of the table in 2023, but won the 2024 title after the Australian took over. Williams also spent four seasons as Adelaide Strikers’ head coach.
He is no stranger to working in England either having worked under Edwards as Southern Brave’s assistant coach. Should England look for someone with a different background, outside the English game, Williams would be a solid option.
Danielle Hazell
Won two Women’s World Cups with England and three Ashes series as a player. When Durham were awarded tier one status ahead of the 2025 season, they enticed Hazell to become their new head coach.
However, Hazell retired from playing cricket only in 2019, and last played for England only the year before, so might be too close to the dressing room to be able to provide the kind of overhaul required after the Ashes defeat.
