Ashley Noffke named London Spirit coach in the women's Hundred

Ashley Noffke, the former Australia allrounder, has won the race to become women's head coach at London Spirit in the Hundred for the 2023 season.

Noffke, who played three limited-overs internationals in 2007-08, has a burgeoning reputation after recent success coaching Brisbane Heat and Queensland Fire to the 2019-20 Women's BBL and 2020-21 Women's National Cricket League titles respectively.

He was among the contenders to replace Lisa Keightley as England women's coach and is understood to have been interviewed for that position, but was beaten to it by Jon Lewis, the former Gloucestershire fast bowler.

"I am delighted to be appointed as head coach of the London Spirit Women's team," Noffke said. "I have been attracted by the explosive nature of the competition and look forward to helping ensure that the Spirit are challenging for the trophy at the end of August.

"Lord's is a very special place for me, having played for Middlesex for two seasons in 2002 and 2003, and I can't wait to get back to the Home of Cricket next summer."

Noffke replaces Trevor Griffin in the role, who was invited to re-apply for his job by Spirit after a disappointing 2022 season which saw them win only two of their six games. Heather Knight, their captain, missed the whole competition through injury.

Fraser Stewart, the team's general manager, said: "We are delighted to have obtained Ashley as our new women's head coach. He was the outstanding candidate from a list of very impressive applicants, showing the strength and allure of the Hundred and the women's game.

"We look forward to seeing the impact he can have on our talented squad, both developing players and delivering results on the field.

"The entire London Spirit organisation would also like to place on record our thanks to Trevor Griffin for all his work over the last two years.

"Trevor led the team to a fourth-placed finish in the first edition of the Hundred, only missing out on a place in the Eliminator on Net Run Rate and has worked tirelessly for the betterment of the team. We are extremely grateful for all his hard work."

Meanwhile, Spirit have confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that Trevor Bayliss is due to return in 2023 as men's coach. Bayliss replaced the late Shane Warne in the job ahead of last season and helped Spirit reach the eliminator.