Women’s Ashes: England coach Jon Lewis insists he should keep job as ‘brutal tour’ leaves Heather Knight near tears
Jon Lewis says he is still the best person to coach England despite his side staring at the prospect of a 16-0 Women’s Ashes whitewash – which has left captain Heather Knight close to tears.
England subsided to 90 all out in the final T20 at Adelaide on Saturday to lose by 72 runs and must now avoid defeat in the Test at the MCG from Thursday to deny Australia a clean sweep.
The tourists trail 12-0 on points after six successive white-ball defeats, obliterating their hopes of regaining the Ashes for the first time in a decade.
England have failed to win two T20 World Cups and two Ashes since Lewis became coach in late 2022, often stuttering in key moments.
Asked by TNT Sports whether he feels he should continue in the role, the 49-year-old said: “Yes, I do. We are a developing side with a lot of young players and I have a lot of skills in that area.
“There are really good examples of players developing on this tour and across the last couple of years. I am really passionate about women’s cricket and growing the game.
Lewis says he has developed players since taking over as coach in late 2022
“We just haven’t shown it on this tour so far. We haven’t played anywhere near our best cricket and have a lot of work to do.”
Speaking to the BBC, England captain Knight – who top-scored with 40 in Adelaide and was the only player to pass 17 – said: “I am trying not to cry. I am gutted. I am frustrated.
“We have competed at times and fought hard but it has been a brutal tour so far. We need to learn, be better and remember these moments to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
Rainford-Brent: England looked like they ran out of plans
Former England international Ebony Rainford-Brent took umbrage at Lewis’ comments on Friday that Australia were more “agile and athletic” due to their outdoor culture.
Australia are looking to win the Ashes 16-0
She wants a head coach who feels they can get the better of Australia and suggested England had “run out of plans” against their dominant opponents, citing regular frailties against spin which reared again in Adelaide as Georgia Wareham snaffled 3-11.
Rainford-Brent said on TNT Sports: “What I want, what fans want, is for England to overtake Australia. Not compete and be in the mix but overtake.
“And when the comment comes that they are faster, stronger, more agile, it doesn’t help.
“It feels like England ran out of plans and that is not a good place to be. You need that clarity to execute so something feels like it’s off.
“[Lewis] has done a brilliant job bringing through young players but the question for England is how do we dominate Australia?
“I’m not sure that comment did that. Unless we have someone who can overtake Australia, I think it’s a tough place to be.
England were trounced in the third women’s Ashes T20 to slip 12-0 down on points ahead of the series-ending Test match
“I think we have the players.
“If you ask me to choose a world XI there are players you would take – Knight, Sophie Ecclestone, Nat Sciver-Brunt. Maia Bouchier, absolute talent. Alice Capsey, absolute talent. Lauren Filer, pace.
“There is no challenge with the skillset but something appears to be wrong when pressure hits against Australia or in World Cups.”
Former England seamer Tash Farrant added: “There are going to be questions about Lewis’ job and I guess rightly so.
“We want England to be challenging Australia, not just comfortable with being second best. We need to be trying to get back to No 1.”
Women’s Ashes – results and fixtures
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