MI London Women have confirmed a marquee appointment ahead of the 2026 season of The Hundred, naming Lisa Keightley as head coach. The announcement marks a significant chapter for the franchise, formerly known as the Oval Invincibles, as it enters the new era under the MI London banner with ambitions to continue its winning legacy in English cricket’s premier 100-ball competition.
Keightley joins MI London from Sunrisers Leeds formerly Northern Superchargers, whom she guided to the 2025 Women’s Hundred title. Her extensive coaching résumé spans both international and franchise success, including roles with the England Women’s national team, Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League, and Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League.
In welcoming her new role, Keightley said “I am delighted to join MI London women’s team for the 2026 season. Having witnessed the team’s past success and now stepping into this role, I’m looking forward to the journey and to a new challenge after winning The Hundred last season.”
Keightley’s appointment arrives at a pivotal time for MI London, a franchise rich in history and success. Prior to its rebranding, the women’s side won back-to-back Hundred titles in the competition’s early years, establishing itself as one of the format’s most formidable teams.
Speaking on the unique opportunity that awaits her at The Kia Oval, MI London’s home ground, Keightley added “The Kia Oval is a brilliant place to play and gives me a unique chance to combine Surrey’s rich cricketing heritage with the global winning culture of the MI family. My focus at MI London will be to bring the trophy home and build a high-performance environment where players can thrive, play fearless cricket, and continue to win.”
Her words signal a clear commitment not only to success on the field, but also to nurturing a culture where players can grow, express themselves, and compete at their best. For a side brimming with talent and expectation, Keightley’s leadership philosophy may prove to be the catalyst for even greater heights in the coming season.
Keightley’s coaching background combines global experience with domestic success. She has been a standout figure in women’s cricket for years, having led teams at the highest levels and helped develop elite talent across formats. Her championship pedigree, highlighted by her recent Hundred triumph, brings invaluable insight to MI London’s women’s squad as they seek to reclaim silverware.
The Hundred’s unique 100-ball format continues to elevate the profile of women’s cricket in England and beyond, providing players and coaches alike a platform to showcase their skills in a high-intensity environment. Under Keightley’s stewardship, MI London’s women’s team will aim to harness that platform to its fullest potential.
Keightley’s appointment is part of a wider leadership strategy at MI London that sees experienced figures brought into key roles. This blend of global expertise and local cricketing heritage reflects MI London’s ambition to build teams capable of sustained success across both the men’s and women’s tournaments. For the women’s side, Keightley’s arrival sets an optimistic tone for the season ahead, as players and supporters alike look toward a campaign filled with potential and promise.
Loves all things female cricket