Jon Lewis has been relieved of his duties as England Women’s head coach following the team’s heavy Ashes defeat, in which they suffered a 16-0 whitewash against Australia. The comprehensive nature of the loss made a change in leadership almost inevitable, bringing an end to Lewis’s tenure just over two years after his appointment in November 2022.
Despite overseeing 52 victories in 73 matches, a strong win percentage was not enough to compensate for disappointment in major tournaments. Alongside the Ashes debacle, England also suffered an early exit in last year’s T20 World Cup after a six-wicket defeat to West Indies in the group stage.
One of the highlights of Lewis’s time in charge came during the 2023 Ashes, when England staged an impressive fightback to win four of the last five matches and claim both white-ball series. However, their return to Australia in 2025 was a stark contrast. A difficult tour concluded with an innings defeat in the Test match at the MCG, where England’s fielding woes, including numerous dropped catches, further compounded their struggles. In the aftermath, Lewis expressed his belief that he remained the right person to lead the team forward.
However, England’s leadership had already begun an in-depth review of the tour. The team’s managing director of women’s cricket had promised a “thorough and honest” assessment, and Lewis ultimately became one of its casualties. Attention now turns to the future of captain Heather Knight, who had stated she would reflect on her position following the team’s disastrous performance.
Reflecting on his time in charge, Lewis expressed pride in the team’s progress despite his disappointment at being unable to continue in the role. He emphasized the work done to develop young players and modernize England’s white-ball cricket while also noting the growing popularity of the women’s game. He highlighted the record-breaking crowds in 2023 and 2024 as a sign of positive change and affirmed his commitment to advancing women’s cricket in future roles.
As England search for a new head coach, Charlotte Edwards emerges as a strong candidate. The former England captain has built an impressive coaching résumé, particularly in domestic and franchise cricket. Recently, she guided Mumbai Indians to their second Women’s Premier League title. Edwards has previously expressed a desire to lead the national team, openly stating her ambition to take on the role.
The team’s leadership acknowledged Lewis’s contributions, particularly praising England’s streak of eight consecutive ODI series wins, which ended in Australia. Plans to appoint a new head coach are expected to progress swiftly, with England’s summer schedule beginning in May with a home series against West Indies. Beyond that, the team faces significant challenges ahead, including a 50-over World Cup in India later in the year, followed by the 2026 T20 World Cup on home soil.
