Who could take over as England Women's head coach after Jon Lewis' exit?

The England Women’s Cricket team is entering a period of significant transition with the departures of Head Coach Jon Lewis and Captain Heather Knight. The timing of their exits is no coincidence, coming as they do on the back of a dismal group-stage exit at the 2024 T20 World Cup and a chastening 16-0 Ashes defeat to Australia.

With a packed schedule looming, which includes a white-ball series against West Indies in May, a tour by India in June and the 50-over World Cup towards the end of the year, the England Cricket Board (ECB) finds itself at a critical crossroads, tasked with finding a new leadership to revive the team’s flagging fortunes.

Who could take over as England Women's head coach after Jon Lewis' exit? — Who could take over as England Women’s head coach after Jon Lewis’ exit?

As the search for Jon Lewis’ replacement begins, several candidates have emerged. One strong contender is Charlotte Edwards, the former England Captain and a successful domestic coach with multiple trophies under her belt. Another option is Jonathan Batty who has achieved remarkable success as a coach leading his team to back-to-back The Hundred titles.

Mark Robbinson, who guided England to World Cup glory in 2017, is also in the running, while Matthew Mott, the former coach of England’s men’s white-ball team and a key figure in their 2022 T20 World Cup triumph could bring experience to the role. Additionally, Jon Lewis, not the outgoing coach, but his name twin has also been mentioned as a potential candidate given his credentials as the former Durham men’s head coach and is also currently leading the England A team.

Charlotte Edwards –

With a 20-year international career, including a decade as England’s captain, Charlotte Edwards has seamlessly transitioned into a highly successful coaching role. Since retiring in 2016, she has built an impressive resume, leading Mumbai Indians to two WPL titles, winning The Hundred with Southern Brave, and securing five domestic trophies with Southern Vipers. Her success has extended into the county circuit, with her recent appointment as Hampshire’s head coach for the 2025 season in England’s revamped domestic structure. Having previously removed herself from contention for the England job, the 45-year-old has only strengthened her credentials in recent years, making her a strong and logical candidate for the role.

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Jonathan Batty –

A former Surrey wicketkeeper, Jonathan Batty has established himself as a top coaching prospect in the women’s game. He led Oval Invincibles to back-to-back Hundred titles in 2021 and 2022, showcasing his ability to build a winning team. His coaching credentials extend beyond England, having worked in Australia’s BBL with Melbourne Stars and currently serving as head coach of Delhi Capitals in the WPL, where he has guided them to three consecutive finals. With extensive experience across domestic leagues and strong connections with the current generation of players, the 50-year-old stands as a well-rounded candidate for England’s top job.

Mark Robbinson –

A highly experienced coach, Mark Robinson led England Women to World Cup glory in 2017, cementing his reputation as a top-level strategist. Before that, he enjoyed a decade-long stint as Sussex head coach (2005-2015), winning County Championships in 2006 and 2007, and also coached England Lions on multiple tours. After his England tenure, he took charge of Warwickshire in 2021, a role he held until February 2025. Robinson has now returned to Sussex in a short-term role. With a proven ability to deliver success at the highest level, the 58-year-old remains a strong candidate for England’s vacant head coach position.

Matthew Mott –

Matthew Mott has built a strong reputation as a coach, achieving success across international and domestic cricket. He guided Australia Women to multiple titles and later led England Men to a T20 World Cup triumph in 2022. His domestic achievements include winning the Sheffield Shield and Champions League T20 with New South Wales, as well as taking Glamorgan to a Yorkshire Bank 40 final. Since leaving England in 2024, the 51-year-old has taken on a part-time development role at Glamorgan and recently joined Sydney Sixers as an assistant coach. While a return to the ECB seems uncertain, his track record keeps him in the conversation.

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Jon Lewis –

Jon Lewis, the former Durham and Essex batter, has extensive coaching experience and is seen as a strong internal candidate for England’s head coach role. Having served as England Women’s assistant coach and batting consultant, he was in contention for the top job in 2022 but lost out to his namesake. Lewis has also worked with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh’s men’s teams and led Durham to a One-Day Cup victory in 2014. Currently, the 54-year-old is the head coach of England A and took charge of Trent Rockets women in The Hundred in 2023, keeping him closely connected to the England setup and making him a familiar and viable option for the role.