Follow UsJust a day after Jon Lewis stepped down as head coach of England's Women's team, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) fired Heather Knight from her role as England’s captain on March 22 (Saturday).
In the last 12 months or so, England have been terrible under Knight and Lewis. England failed to qualify for the knockouts of the 2024 T20 World Cup last year. Recently, they failed to win a single game during the multi-format Women's Ashes in Australia. However, it was under Knight’s captaincy that England won the 2017 Women’s World Cup at home.
"Captaining my country for the last nine years has been the biggest honour of my life and I will look back on my tenure with an enormous sense of pride. I have loved the challenge of leading the team, but all good things come to an end and it's time for me to go back into the ranks and focus on being the best batter and teammate that I can be for the team.
"Winning the ICC Women's World Cup on home turf at Lord's in 2017 will always be a huge highlight, but being a part of the huge steps forward made in the women's game off the pitch brings me just as much pride...Thank you to all the players and staff, who have given it everything along the way.
"I have loved being England Captain, it's been the most rewarding period of my career, but for now I'm excited to focus on my batting and supporting the team and the new captain in the best way I can."
ECB's Chief Executive Officer Richard Gould added: "I'm immensely thankful for everything Heather has given in her time as Captain. The World Cup win and the thrilling 2023 Women's Ashes will live long in the memory.
"Heather's influence as Captain has extended far beyond her impact on the pitch. Through her leadership and dedication, she has inspired many women and girls to get involved in the sport, fuelling the transformation of women's cricket we have seen since 2016.
"As one of the world's best batters, I look forward to watching Heather play on for England for many years to come."