Jon Lewis has left his position as England Women’s head coach following England’s 16-0 Ashes defeat in Australia and their early exit from the T20 World Cup last October. The ECB confirmed his departure on Friday amid a review of the team’s performance.
Lewis Reflects on His Tenure
Lewis, who took over in November 2022, expressed pride in his work with the young squad. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time and worked tirelessly to develop the players’ skills and understanding of modern white-ball cricket. Despite recent disappointments, we made good progress in 2024, winning 83% of our games,” Lewis said. He also highlighted the record-breaking crowds in 2023 and 2024 and expressed his commitment to advancing women’s cricket in future roles.
ECB Thanks Lewis for His Contributions
Clare Connor, ECB’s managing director for England Women, thanked Lewis for his contributions. She noted that Lewis helped create the right environment for the team after a challenging pandemic period. Under his guidance, England drew the 2023 Women’s Ashes, defeating Australia in both white-ball legs, and secured eight consecutive ODI series wins. However, Connor acknowledged the team’s disappointing performances in recent major events and emphasized the need for a new head coach to prepare for an exciting summer of cricket and two upcoming World Cups.
Lewis’s Record and Controversies
Lewis, who also coached UP Warriorz in the WPL, leaves after 52 wins from 73 matches in charge. His position came under scrutiny following England’s poor fielding in the T20 World Cup and the Ashes whitewash. His comments during the tour, suggesting Australia’s active lifestyle produced better athletes, also sparked controversy.
Charlotte Edwards in Line to Replace Lewis
Charlotte Edwards is a leading candidate to replace Lewis. Edwards, who recently guided Mumbai Indians to their second WPL title, has an impressive coaching resume. She previously expressed interest in the role but chose to focus on her franchise career. The ECB will announce their decision on Lewis’s successor soon, with series against West Indies and India on the horizon, followed by the 50-over World Cup in India and a home T20 World Cup next year.
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