Lisa Keightley, the former head coach of the England women’s cricket team, has been appointed as the head coach of the Northern Superchargers women’s squad for The Hundred. The 53-year-old succeeds Dani Hazell, who has completed a four-year tenure with the team, during which they saw considerable development.
Keightley brings a strong coaching background, having served as the head coach for England Women from 2020 until 2022. Under her guidance, the national team reached the semi-finals of the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup and advanced to the final of the 2022 Women’s World Cup. Additionally, she has coached franchises such as Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) and Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
Her recruitment signifies a fresh start for the Superchargers, who fell just short of the eliminator this year after finishing as runners-up in 2023.
Keightley expressed her enthusiasm for her new role, stating, “The opportunity to be Head Coach of Northern Superchargers is a huge honour, and I’m excited to build on the solid foundations laid over the past four years. The Hundred has been a game-changer. It has provided the women’s game with a brilliant platform and given players the stage they deserve to showcase their skills.”
She also highlighted the enthusiastic fanbase at Headingley, remarking, “Headingley has been a shining example of how fans have embraced this exciting competition, and I’m really looking forward to being there next year. Our goal as a team is to win the competition, and with the core squad we’re working to retain before Deadline Day, alongside the players we’ll recruit through the Hundred Draft, I’m confident we have the potential to achieve that.”
Keightley’s playing experience further enhances her qualifications; she represented Australia in nine Tests and 82 ODIs, and was the first woman to score a century at Lord’s.
Sanjay Patel, interim CEO of Yorkshire, expressed enthusiasm over Keightley’s appointment, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Lisa to the Northern Superchargers. With her extensive experience in both international and franchise women’s cricket, Lisa will play a key role in giving us the best chance to succeed and win the competition in 2025. We are excited to work with her as we look to promote a positive, entertaining, and winning brand of cricket across our teams.”
Kirsty Bashforth, Chair of Northern Superchargers, shared her anticipation for the team’s direction, saying, “We’re excited for the next chapter as we enter the fifth year of the competition. This milestone brings international experience and new opportunities for growth. We look forward to seeing each team evolve and enhance the competition.”
The Superchargers aim to reach great heights in the 2025 season under Keightley’s leadership. Her proven track record in high-pressure competitions and experience in franchise cricket is anticipated to offer fresh insights and renewed vigor to the team as she seeks to build upon Hazell’s established foundations.
Image Source: Lisa Keightley @ Instagram
