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The Delhi Capitals announced their coaching staff for the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), which will be held from March 4 to 26 in Mumbai. Jonathan Batty, who coached the Oval Invincibles women’s team to The Hundred titles in 2021 and 2022 has been named the team’s Head Coach.
Batty's staff will include former India international former cricketers Hemlata Kala and Lisa Keightley as the team’s Assistant Coaches. Biju George, who had a successful tenure with the Indian women’s team, has been named as the side’s Fielding Coach. George works in the same capacity with the Capitals' men’s side as well.
Sharing his thoughts on the appointment, Batty said, “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Delhi Capitals as Head Coach for the inaugural WPL. It’s a huge honour to have been granted this opportunity by the management, and I can’t wait to work with the team. It’s an incredible time to be involved in Women’s cricket and the WPL has the potential to transform the landscape of women’s professional sport globally."
The 48-year-old also coached the Melbourne Stars in the Women’s Big Bash League and the Surrey Women’s side.
Kala, who represented India in seven Tests and 78 ODIs, was the chief of the national selection panel when India reached the final of the ICC World Cup in 2017, a milestone moment for the women’s game in India. “I am grateful and excited for this new role with Delhi Capitals. I am looking forward to putting together our squad ahead of the inaugural edition of the tournament, which I am confident will be a game-changer for women’s cricket,” she said about her appointment.
Keightley is a veteran of nine Tests and 82 ODIs for Australia and coached the England women’s side to the 2022 ICC World Cup final. She has also served as Head Coach for the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League.
"I’m very excited to be involved with the Delhi Capitals and to be working with so many different players and staff from around the world. WPL is a game changer for women’s sports around the world, and we have the opportunity to showcase cricket to a new audience," she said about her new job.
The inaugural auction for the WPL will be held on Monday, February 13, in Mumbai.
(With inputs from the official Press Release)
