ECB appoints former netball player to spot talented women cricketers

In a bid to spot and develop talent in the women’s game, England Cricket Board on Wednesday (March 29) appointed Diana Lewis as its National Talent Manager. Lewis, who is currently England Netball’s Performance Pathway Manager, has played for the Wales Under-21 netball team previously.

Her appointment comes hot on the heels of ECB’s decision to name RFU’s Head of Regional Academies Alun Powell as the National Talent Manager to find and develop talent in the men’s game. Lewis will oversee the board’s talent development programme which focusses on supporting the women’s game.

With more than 700 clubs in the country offering cricket for women and girls, Lewis will be tasked to work with a large pool to unearth top talent. ECB also revealed that she would work closely with the England women’s management team and report to the board’s Women’s High Performance Manager Jonathan Finch. ECB’s decision to appoint National Talent Managers comes following the suggestions given by an independent review of the existing county talent pathway.

“This is another important step forward in our plans to give more girls an opportunity to maximise their potential and embrace careers as professional cricketers – both with England Women and in the new Kia Super League,” ECB’s Director, England Women’s Cricket Clare Connor said following Lewis’s appointment.

“Cricket is attracting women and girls in ever increasing numbers at grassroots level – giving us a wider pool of talent from which to choose than ever before. It’s an exciting time in the women’s game for Diana to take on this role and she will have a critical part to play in shaping the development of our most talented youngsters.”