Former Australian cricketer Lisa Keightley has been confirmed as the new head coach of the England women's team.

Over a ten-year international career, Keightley played in nine tests and 82 ODIs, making a name for herself when she became the first woman to score a century at Lord's.

Her appointment will mean she has to stand down as head coach to The Hundred outfit London Spirit in next year's new format of the game.

The 48-year-old has history in the ECB ranks having previously served as head coach of the England Women's Academy between 2011 and 2015. 

She will take over from Mark Robinson, who stepped down following a heavy Ashes defeat this summer, and in doing so will become the side's first full-time female head coach.

"I’m massively excited," she said.

"It’s a huge opportunity. It’s a team full of world-class players and to be given the chance to work with some of the players who I worked with a few years ago is really exciting. I can’t wait to get started and see where we can get to.”

Managing Director of Women's Cricket, Clare Connor said that Keightley was the 'outstanding candidate' having 'unanimously impressed' the four-person panel which consisted of herself, high performance manager Jonathan Finch, chief executive Tom Harrison, and head of coach development John Neal. 

Keightley is currently in charge of the Perth Scorchers and Western Australia, but her focus will now switch firmly to the Women's T20 World Cup in Australia next year. 

England made it to the final in 2018, losing out to Keightley's native Australia.