(Football news) The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have announced that England Women’s Head Coach Lisa Keightley is to leave her role at the end of the summer after informing the ECB she wouldn’t be seeking a contract extension. Keightley has been in the role since January 2020, taking the team to the semi-final of the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and the final of the 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup.

Both parties agreed the timing was right to ensure the next Head Coach has time to work with the squad in the lead up to the next ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled for February 2023 in South Africa. Keightley’s last series will be September’s visit to India. The ECB will now begin the recruitment process for the new England Women Head Coach.

Director of England Women’s Cricket Jonathan Finch said: “We are incredibly grateful for the commitment and passion Lisa has shown over the last two-and-a-half years in the role. We have seen increased competition for places over the last 12 months and the squad Lisa leaves is an exciting blend of youth and experience.

“Leading an international team is challenging at the best of times. It is more challenging during a pandemic, and Lisa has been able to continue the development of the team during what has been the toughest period we have faced off the field.”

Interim Chief Executive Officer Clare Connor said: “I’d like to place on record our sincere thanks to Lisa for all her efforts across the last two-and-a-half years. Lisa was always a fierce opponent when she represented Australia, and she’s brought that same pride, passion and will to win into everything she’s done with the England Women’s team. The team have enjoyed working with her immensely and I know they’ll join me in wishing her all the very best for her next challenge.”

Also read: Hits and misses as BCCI announce India's Asia Cup squad