Keightley to coach New South Wales women

Lisa Keightley, the Australian batsman, has been appointed the coach of New South Wales' women's team. Keightley has announced that she planned to retire after the forthcoming Ashes tour of England and will coach NSW women for the next season.

"Lisa is a proven player at the highest level and comes to the coaching role having served an extensive apprenticeship," David Gilbert, chief executive of Cricket NSW, said. "We are delighted that Lisa has accepted the role. It is the first time Cricket NSW has employed a full-time women's state coach. It reflects the importance of the women's program and how proud we are of the NSW Breakers record of success."

Keightley, who has played the more matches than anyone in the Commonwealth Bank Women's National League with 91 games for the NSW Breakers, was naturally delighted. "I'm excited to be given the honour of being the first full-time women's state coach and continuing my passion for cricket in NSW in a coaching role. I look forward to passing on the knowledge I gained as a player," she said. "I realise that you can't play forever and when the opportunity came up I knew it was one I wanted to take. It will be a new era for the Breakers and hopefully by moving to the coaching ranks it will give another young player a chance."