Lisa Keightley to coach England women's academy

Lisa Keightley has been appointed head coach of the England women's academy.

The Australian and New South Wales top-order batter retired from playing in 2005 but went on to enjoy a successful tenure as coach of New South Wales. She led them to consecutive titles before becoming the first female to be become head coach of the Australian women's team in 2007.

Keightley is currently employed by Wiltshire Cricket as the head of girls' development and will continue in this role alongside her new position with the academy.

"I'm delighted to have been appointed to the role," she said. "The England women's academy is just one part of the fantastic development programme for talented girls in cricket and it will be great to work with high performance manager, Paul Shaw.

"Having had a role in their recent winter programme, I'm very much looking forward to working with the academy squad and hope to see many future England players progress through the ranks."

Head of England women's cricket, Clare Connor said: "The appointment of Lisa Keightley to lead the academy programme demonstrates ECB's commitment to the development of elite women's and girls' cricket.

"Under former head coach, Paul Shaw, our academy programme has become the envy of many countries and he should take great credit for how many players have moved up from the academy in to the England squad in the past twenty-four months. Lisa Keightley brings a wealth of international knowledge and experience of the women's game and I know she will excel in the role."