Keightley to coach Australia's women

Lisa Keightley has become the first woman to be appointed as coach of the Australia women's team. Keightley, the former Australia opener, has replaced Mark Sorell, who is now in charge of the South Australia men's team. She has been chosen ahead of Cathryn Fitzpatrick, who was in temporary charge of the women's side after Sorrell stood down.

Keightley retired from international cricket in 2005 and immediately took up the role as coach of the New South Wales Breakers. The state won the Women's National Cricket League title in both of her seasons at the helm.

"I'm very excited and proud to be appointed coach of the Australian women's team," Keightley said. "I'm grateful that Cricket New South Wales has provided a pathway for my coaching development and given me the opportunity, experience and support I needed to reach this stage of my career."

Keightley, 35, will preside over an era of change in the national team; when the 2007-08 squad was named in April there were six changes from the previous year and only two players were over 30. She said it would be an exciting challenge to maintain Australia's high performance with a less experienced lineup.

"We have a young side coming through at the moment on the international level and it will be important to give these new players an opportunity," Keightley said. "Australian women's cricket has experienced a dominant era but we are now faced with the challenge of coming up with new ways to change the game and remain successful."

Keightley, who in 1998 became the first woman to score a century at Lord's, finished her playing career as Australia's third-highest run-scorer in one-day cricket. She played 82 ODIs and made 2630 runs at 39.84.

James Sutherland, CA's CEO said it was a positive move for the team to have such a champion in charge. "She has had a high level of success coaching at interstate level and this experience coupled with her impeccable playing credentials has her well-placed to lead the Southern Stars into a new era," he said.

Keightley's first international engagement will be the Top End Series against New Zealand in late July. The contest will involve a Twenty20 international and five ODIs at Darwin.