Courtney Winfield-Hill, a former Australian cricketer and rugby league player, has been named as an assistant coach for England Women’s cricket team. She will be helping the team during their tour of South Africa and the 2025 Women’s Ashes. The exciting multi-format tour of South Africa will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket and starts on November 24.
Tour Schedule
The tour includes several matches:
- T20 Series: Three matches starting November 24.
- ODI Series: Three-day matches from December 4 to December 11.
- Test Match: A four-day test match from December 15 to December 18.
Winfield-Hill’s Experience
Winfield-Hill brings a wealth of experience to the team:
- Previous Coaching Roles: She was part of England’s coaching staff during their tour to Ireland in September and worked with the Trent Rockets in the Women’s Hundred.
- Current Commitment: She is currently coaching with Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League and will join the England squad after her commitments in Australia.
Playing Career
As a player, Winfield-Hill has an impressive background:
- Cricket: She played for Queensland Fire and Brisbane Heat.
- Rugby League: After moving to England in 2018, she played rugby league for Leeds Rhinos, winning a Grand Final and Challenge Cup double in 2019. She also represented England in the 2022 Rugby League World Cup.
Coaching Philosophy
Winfield-Hill is enthusiastic about her coaching role:
- She has felt welcomed by the England Cricket Board (ECB) and believes they are committed to developing her as a coach.
- She has gained valuable experience from working with England A, development games, and the Ireland tour.
Winfield-Hill expressed her excitement: “I am really proud to be a part of the set-up. Since working with England teams, I have been made to feel nothing but welcomed and feel the ECB have invested in developing me as a coach.” Her wife, Lauren, was a 2017 World Cup-winning opening batter.
Director’s Statement
Jonathan Finch, Director of England Women’s Cricket, praised Winfield-Hill: “Courtney has played such an important role in developing the up-and-coming players on our international pathway and adds tremendous value in any environment she is part of.”
Exciting Future
Winfield-Hill is looking forward to the upcoming series against South Africa and the Women’s Ashes: “South Africa and the Ashes are two exciting series’ and I am really looking forward to linking up and working with the group.”
Courtney Winfield-Hill’s appointment as an assistant coach is an exciting development for the England Women’s cricket team. Her experience and passion for the game will undoubtedly help the team in their upcoming challenges.
