London, April 2 (IANS) England Women’s cricket team has appointed Tom Smith as their new assistant coach ahead of the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will begin on June 12. The former left-arm spinner has taken nearly 400 wickets across all formats during his professional playing career for Sussex, Surrey, Middlesex, and Gloucestershire.

Smith has good coaching experience. His coaching stint began in 2021 in Gloucestershire, when he fulfilled a dual player/coach role before stepping into the assistant coach role in 2025.

Smith also worked as an assistant coach with the Birmingham Phoenix women’s team during The Hundred last year.

Smith joins Head Coach Charlotte Edwards’ coaching group ahead of a hectic schedule of international cricket that includes the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on home soil, a first-ever Women’s Test match at Lord’s, and white-ball series against New Zealand, India, and Ireland.

“The opportunity to coach England Women is an amazing one, and I’m incredibly excited to get started. It’s shaping up to be a brilliant summer, with a home World Cup on the horizon and a T20 series against India. I’ll also be returning to Bristol for the India T20, which will be a really special experience and one I’m very much looking forward to,” Smith said in a statement.

“I’d like to thank Jon Lewis, Mark Alleyne, and everyone at Gloucestershire for their understanding and support during this transition. I wish the players, staff, and supporters all the very best for the summer ahead and beyond,” he added.

While England Women’s Head coach Charlotte Edwards said, “I’m delighted Tom is joining us as our spin bowling coach after a professional playing career spanning nearly 20 years as a left-arm spinner, most notably at Gloucestershire, before moving into coaching at the same county and working with Birmingham Phoenix women.”

“Tom is hugely respected in the game and was a vastly experienced white-ball bowler who will, no doubt, share some of his great knowledge. Our group of spin bowlers will benefit massively from his skills and experience,” she added.

Meanwhile, England is placed in Group 2 of the T20 World Cup 2026, along with Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland, the West Indies, India, and New Zealand. They will start their campaign against Sri Lanka on June 12.

–IANS

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