Mark Lane has been named as the new head coach of the England women's team after taking over mid-way through their successful tour of Australia and New Zealand.

He replaces Mark Dobson who left the trip at short notice citing personal reasons. After Lane took over England retained the Ashes before completing a 3-1 one-day series victory over New Zealand.

"Mark has displayed true commitment to women's cricket for the past decade with his work at Surrey and with various players, most notably Claire Taylor," said Clare Connor, the head of women's cricket. "He is tried and tested as a women's coach and this was proven in the most recent tour to Australia and New Zealand.

"We wish him well for the challenges that lie ahead in the immediate future in the two home tours against South Africa and India and then to the World Cup and the World Twenty20 next year."

Lane played for Hampshire and Surrey 2nd XI teams, as well as Berkshire minor counties as a wicketkeeper-batsman. He has joined the ECB from Surrey where he worked as a full-time coach.

Lane said: "I'm really pleased to have been offered this position and I'm relishing the opportunity to take up the role. I'm delighted to be working with players of the calibre currently within the squad. They are a very talented and enthusiastic group of girls and I feel privileged to be working with them.

"We're all really looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead over the coming eighteen months - it's a very exciting time for women's cricket and I am thrilled to be a part of it. It will also be great to work alongside Clare Connor and Charlotte Edwards in their respective roles."