England close to appointing new coach

England's hunt for a new women's coach is almost over. The ECB has undertaken final interviews with the shortlisted candidates and the announcement is expected to be made in the next few weeks.

England were forced to look for a new coach less than a year after appointing Mark Dobson who quit suddenly during the Ashes tour in February citing personal reasons. Rumours of a romantic link with Jane Smit, who surprised everyone by also handing in her notice during the tour, were emphatically denied by the ECB.

Mark Lane stepped up as stand-in head coach, having only gone on the tour as a last-minute replacement for assistant Vince Wells who made himself unavailable owing to personal matters.

The previous head coach, Richard Bates, had held the role for several years before quitting in 2007 for a lifestyle change. He moved his family to Sydney where he took charge of the New South Wales women's side, known as the Breakers. Bates and Dobson had built on the successful work of John Harmer.

Under Bates they went on to secure an Ashes win for the first time in 42 years and, although their one-day form slipped slightly, this year they were very much back on track with their most successful one-day tour Down Under, as well as winning the one-off Test.

The new coach faces several stiff challenges as, after England host South Africa - a series they should win - they then welcome India, before competing in two World Cups next year. The first is the 50-over tournament in Australia, the second is the World Twenty20 on home soil.