England Coach Dismissed Following Ashes Drubbing: ‘I Strolled from Bondi to Coogee’ Comment Sparks Controversy

The former head coach of England’s women’s cricket team, who oversaw a historic 16-0 Ashes defeat to Australia, has been relieved of his duties.

Jon Lewis was originally signed on until the end of 2026 but has now departed from his position, as confirmed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Friday evening (AEDT).

Following Australia’s unprecedented 16-0 victory in the multi-format Ashes series earlier in February, the ECB initiated a comprehensive and candid review of the team’s performance.

This review has culminated in the dismissal of Lewis, who took on the coaching role in November 2022.

Lewis faced substantial backlash when, after the conclusion of the Ashes white-ball matches, he suggested that Australia’s active outdoor lifestyle provided Alyssa Healy’s squad with a competitive edge.

“I encourage you all to come and observe [the team train]. I cannot commend their efforts regarding physical fitness more,” Lewis stated after England suffered a 72-run defeat at Adelaide Oval in the final T20.

“Their dedication is remarkable. In my 31 years of professional cricket, I have never seen such commitment from a team.”

“Just last Sunday evening, I walked from Bondi to Coogee, and it seemed like every Australian in the eastern suburbs was either in the ocean, engaged in surf lifesaving, or playing touch rugby.

“To me, that reflects a cultural difference. I believe Australia enjoys an edge in terms of athleticism, and it’s vital for us to expand our talent pool as it’s somewhat limited at the moment.”

Under Lewis’s stewardship, England achieved 52 wins out of 73 matches, currently sitting second behind Australia in the T20 and ODI rankings as per the International Cricket Council.

Before taking the helm of the women’s side, Lewis served as the pace-bowling coach for both the England men’s Test and white-ball teams.

A former fast bowler himself, he took 849 wickets in a stellar first-class career and represented England in 15 international fixtures across Test, ODI, and T20 formats.

“My time as the head coach of England women’s team has been incredibly rewarding,” Lewis shared in an ECB statement.

“Regrettably, I am unable to complete this rewarding yet challenging role of nurturing this young team while promoting and advancing women’s cricket in the UK.”

“I have dedicated my efforts to nurturing these young athletes, enhancing their skills and grasp of modern white-ball cricket, while achieving an impressive 83 per cent win rate in 2024.

“I take pride in the record attendance we have seen in 2023 and 2024, and I remain committed to advancing women’s cricket no matter where my path leads next.

“I extend my best wishes to all the players and thank them for allowing me to be part of their journeys.”

In response, Clare Connor, the ECB’s managing director and deputy chief executive, found a silver lining in the situation.

“Despite the disappointing outcomes of the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and Women’s Ashes series in Australia, there’s no denying the talent at our disposal. We are actively searching for a new coach to lead us forward,” Connor remarked.

“We must prepare for an exhilarating summer of international cricket and gear up for two World Cups in the coming 15 months, including next year’s T20 World Cup right here in Australia.”