Crowe To Succeed Birkenshaw As Assistant Coach

Crowe To Succeed Birkenshaw As Assistant Coach

Carl Crowe in action for Leicestershire in 2009

©Action Images / Steven Paston

Former Berkshire and Leicestershire player Carl Crowe is to take over as assistant coach to the England Women's team, replacing Jack Birkenshaw.

Birkenshaw has occupied the role for the last two-and-a-half years and Crowe will begin work when the side return from their tour of Sri Lanka later this month.

“After short-listing a strong set of candidates, we unanimously concluded that Carl Crowe was the standout choice," ECB Head of Women's Cricket Clare Connor said.

"He has experience of coaching in the women's high performance environment, is currently completing his ECB Level 4 coaching qualification, and his skill set will be invaluable to Head Coach Mark Lane."

Birkenshaw will continue to work with the team's young spin bowlers, and Connor paid tribute to his outstanding service alongside Lane.

“It is virtually impossible to summarise Jack's impact on the players and support staff," she said. "However, the results of the team and the performances of our spinners during that period speak volumes about Jack's influence.  A servant of the game for over fifty years, everyone involved in England women's cricket feels privileged to have had one of cricket's legends in our midst.  We are delighted that we will not be losing Jack entirely as he will continue to work with our most promising young spinners.”

Carl Crowe said: “I’m delighted to be appointed Assistant Coach to the England women’s team and look forward to working alongside Mark Lane. It’s exciting times for women’s cricket with some  talented young players breaking into the England squad. I’m very much looking forward to the challenges ahead and working with the World champions in preparation for the Australia tour in January.”

Jack Birkenshaw said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the England women’s team and feel proud to have shared in the team’s success. I look forward to continuing to work with some of the country’s most talented young players who will no doubt go on to play for England in the future.”

With Birkenshaw assisting Lane, the team were double world champions in 2009, lifting the 50-over World Cup in Australia and the ICC Women's World Twenty20 at Lord's.

© Cricket World 2010