Former Nottinghamshire wicketkeeper Chris Read has been appointed as the new Head Coach of the Trent Rockets Women for The Hundred, taking over from Jon Lewis from the 2026 season onwards.
Read, 47, has been an integral part of the Rockets setup since the competition’s inception, serving as assistant coach for the past three editions. His promotion marks a natural step forward in his coaching journey after three years of close work with Lewis and the squad.
Joining Read’s backroom staff will be another familiar Nottinghamshire face. Luke Fletcher, the beloved seamer who collected 645 wickets across all formats for the club, has been named Assistant Coach of the Rockets Women.
Outside The Hundred, Read has been making notable strides as a coach. He has spent the last two years in charge of Lancashire, guiding the Red Rose to two major trophies in 2025 and recently signing a contract extension with the county. His progression there has underlined his coaching credentials and readiness to lead a team of his own in The Hundred.
As a player, Read built an iconic career at Trent Bridge. Over 19 years with Nottinghamshire, he made more than 700 appearances, amassing over 21,000 runs and completing a record 1,398 wicketkeeping dismissals. He also captained the club for a decade, cementing his place among the greats of the Green and Gold.
Reflecting on his appointment, Read described the moment as a proud milestone in his cricketing journey. “It’s a deeply proud moment to take on a head coaching role based at the ground that I have a huge number of unbelievably special memories at,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed developing my coaching skillset with the Rockets over the last three summers, and the opportunity to continue that journey is really exciting.
“I felt the impact of a sold-out Trent Bridge crowd first-hand over many years, and I know how much their support can change the course of games. With all the fresh energy and investment into The Hundred, I’m really looking forward to starting the preparation for 2026 and beyond as we bid to deliver success.”
Trent Rockets General Manager Mick Newell said the appointment felt like a fitting return for one of Nottinghamshire’s great servants. “It’s a real full-circle moment for Chris to return to Trent Bridge to lead Trent Rockets, and we’re delighted to welcome him back,” Newell said. “Having established himself as a true club legend here with years of outstanding service as a player, he has now shown himself to be blossoming into an excellent coach and leader too.
“His fantastic start to a coaching career at Lancashire, and his experience from previous years with the Rockets, will stand him in great stead, and we can’t wait to see him in his new role.”
With Read’s appointment, the Rockets have rooted their coaching setup firmly in Nottinghamshire tradition while looking ahead to a new chapter of The Hundred. For Trent Bridge fans, the return of a club legend to lead the women’s side offers both nostalgia and renewed hope for success in the summers to come.
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