Lisa Keightley signs new deal as Sydney Thunder WBBL coach

Lisa Keightley has signed a 2-year contract extension to stay as Sydney Thunder WBBL head coach through WBBL|13Tenure: Joined in 2023. Will become Thunder's longest-serving women's head coach. Announced: June 23, 2026. Record Under Keightley 3 seasons: 17 wins, 2 finals appearances in WBBL|09 and WBBL|10WBBL|11: Missed top 4 for first time since 2022Goal: Deliver a third WBBL title to Western Sydney. Keightley is one of the most experienced and well-credentialed female coaches in the world and currently coaches Mumbai Indians in the WPL and MI London in the women's Hundred. She also has coached England, Australia, New South Wales, Western Australia, Perth Scorchers, Delhi Capitals, and Northern Superchargers, whom she took to the 2025 Women's Hundred title before they became Superchargers Leeds under new ownership for this season. Keightley’s Credentials Player: 9 Tests, 82 ODIs, 1 T20I for Australia. Coaching CV: Former head coach of Australia Women and England Women. Franchise success: Took Perth Scorchers to 2 WBBL Finals, won Women’s Hundred with Northern Superchargers. Current roles: Also coaches Mumbai Indians in WPL and MI London in The Hundred. "Anika Learoyd had a very impressive season, and our young guns showed promising signs for the future, including Lucy Finn who had some stand-out performances in her debut season. "Last season was obviously disappointing from an on-field perspective. We know we have a much better performance in us, and we will be pushing ourselves to get back into genuine contention. "I know this group, the work we're doing behind the scenes, and I believe the squad is building towards something special in the upcoming season." Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland was pleased to re-sign Keightley. "Lisa is a genuine legend of women's cricket, and we couldn't be happier that she's sticking with us," Copeland said. GM Trent Copeland: Club is "thrilled to continue with Keightley on board "Outlook: "I believe the squad is building towards something special in the upcoming season". Bottom line: After making 2 finals in 3 years but missing out in WBBL|11, Lisa Keightley re-commits to Sydney Thunder for 2 more seasons. With an international-calibre coaching record and young stars like Litchfield and Voll firing, Thunder back her to return to title contention in WBBL|12.