Delhi Capitals have roped in former Surrey, Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire wicketkeeper-batter Jonathan Batty as their head coach for the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL).
Former India international Hemlata Kala, and Lisa Keightley, the former Australia cricketer with vast coaching experience, have been named the team's assistant coaches. And Biju George, who has previously worked with the India women's team, has been named the fielding coach. He is also the fielding coach of the Capitals men's side.
Batty has extensive coaching experience when it comes to women's cricket. He coached Oval Invincibles to the title at the women's Hundred in 2021 and 2022, and has also been head coach at Melbourne Stars in the WBBL and the Surrey women's side.
"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," Batty said in a statement.
Kala played seven Tests, 78 ODIs and one T20I and has also been chief selector for women in the past. "I am looking forward to putting together our squad ahead of the inaugural edition of the tournament, which I am confident will be a gamechanger for women's cricket," she said of the player auction.
Keightley, the current Sydney Thunder head coach, played nine Tests, 82 ODIs and one T20I in a decade-long career. She was at the helm of the England team when they made the final of the 2022 ODI World Cup, before stepping down in August last year. She has also been head coach of Perth Scorchers in the past.
"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," she said. "WPL is a game changer for women's sports around the world, and we have the opportunity to showcase cricket to a new audience."
The player auction ahead of the inaugural WPL will be held on February 13 in Mumbai, while the tournament will be played between March 4 and 26. All the matches will be held in Mumbai.