ECB turn to netball to reinforce women's talent-spotting

A former Wales U21 netball player has been appointed by the ECB as National Talent Manager for women's cricket.

Diana Lewis, who is currently England Netball's Performance Pathway Manager, will oversee the ECB's talent development programme aimed at supporting the women's professional game.

She will work closely with the wider cricket network to help identify and develop talented youngsters across the grassroots game - with more than 700 cricket clubs nationwide now offering cricket for women and girls.

"This is another important step forward in our plans to give more girls an opportunity to maximise their potential and embrace careers as professional cricketers - both with England Women and in the new Kia Super League," said Clare Connor, the ECB's director of women's cricket.

"Cricket is attracting women and girls in ever increasing numbers at grassroots level - giving us a wider pool of talent from which to choose than ever before. It's an exciting time in the women's game for Diana to take on this role and she will have a critical part to play in shaping the development of our most talented youngsters."

Lewis's appointment follows the recent recruitment of Alun Powell, the RFU's Head of Regional Academies, as a new National Talent Manager in the men's game.

Both roles will be based predominantly at the National Cricket Performance Centre at Loughborough University and have been created following recommendations made by an independent review of the existing county talent pathway.