Mark Robinson appointed as England Women head coach

Mark Robinson has been appointed the Head Coach of the England women’s cricket team.

Robinson, who is currently the Professional Cricket Manager at Sussex CCC and first XI head coach, is due to join the ECB at the end of the year, in time to take charge of the England women’s team before the tour to South Africa in February 2016.

The 48-year-old has experience of coaching England teams, having previously led the England Lions in Sri Lanka (2014) and South Africa (2015), and coached the England Under-19s team at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2010.

ECB’s Director of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, said:“We are absolutely delighted to appoint Mark as the Head Coach of the England women’s team.

"He has a superb coaching record with Sussex, experience of working with England teams, a reputation for getting the best out of players, and is highly regarded as one of the best coaches working in the men’s professional game.

“The next 18 months are hugely important for the England women’s team and the players must quickly get back to winning ways in South Africa in February.

"Starting in India in March 2016, we will be competing in three ICC world events in the next three years and I fully believe Mark has the skill set and experience to lead the team to sustained success on their exciting journey as professional cricketers.

“The fact that we have been able to attract a coach of Mark’s calibre is another demonstration that England women’s cricket continues to hit new heights. It has been a highly competitive recruitment process, and we are all thrilled to have him on board.”

Mark Robinson said: “I’m incredibly excited about this opportunity. It is obvious to everybody how quickly women’s cricket has grown in recent years – the game is now truly professional in every respect – so to have the chance to play a part in the next chapter for the England women’s team is a great honour.

"I’m also really looking forward to the challenge of coaching in an international environment again.

“It does mean I will be leaving Sussex, and I would like to thank everyone who I have worked and played alongside at the club, as well as the supporters, for providing me with so many happy memories.”

A former right-arm seam bowler, Robinson played 229 First Class matches and made 242 List A appearances during a 15 year county cricket career, representing Northamptonshire, Yorkshire and Sussex from 1987-2002.

Robinson’s appointment as Head Coach follows the announcement at the end of September that the England women’s cricket team would undergo a coaching restructure, with Paul Shaw stepping down from his position as Head of England Women’s Performance – a role which has been made redundant.

England women will next be in action in February 2016 when they will travel to South Africa to play a three match One-Day International series and three match Twenty20 International series. The England women’s squad for this tour will be announced early next year.