The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced Chris Guest as the new Performance Lead for the England women Under-19 program.
Previously the head coach at The Blaze, Guest led Loughborough Lightning and The Blaze to success in the Charlotte Edwards Cup this summer. He also served as head coach for the England women U19 World Cup program in 2023 and the U19 tri-series with Sri Lanka and Australia earlier this year.
At 40 years old, Guest brings extensive experience, including his role as assistant coach at Northern Superchargers during The Hundred. This newly created position emphasizes coaching, with Guest set to lead the U19 team in the upcoming ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 in Malaysia while also focusing on talent identification from academy and senior programs.
Guest expressed his enthusiasm, saying: “Wearing the Three Lions has been immense, and I’m excited to ensure our young cricketers receive the support they need. My philosophy is about creating environments where players can safely fail to improve.”
Richard Bedbrook, Head of England Women Performance Pathways, stated: “Chris has vast experience in women’s cricket and will shape the development of our highest potential players.”
Jonathan Finch, Director of England Women’s Cricket, added: “Chris’s appointment enhances support for young players as they prepare for international competition.”
With his rich background in women’s cricket, Guest is ready to inspire the next generation of talent.