Keightley, 48, had replaced Mark Robinson in October to become the first full-time female head coach of the England side. She hasn’t joined the team as yet, owing to her commitments with Perth Scorchers in the ongoing Women’s T20 Big Bash League in Australia. The England team is currently training in Malaysia ahead of their limited-overs series against Pakistan, and Knight confirmed that the former Australian cricketer will join the squad later on the tour, with Ali Maiden, the assistant coach, taking over in her absence.

“Lisa hasn’t actually arrived yet – she’s out in Australia finishing off her role with the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash,” Knight told Sky Sports on Thursday, December 5. “So she’ll join us later in the trip to oversee things and be in the background.”

Knight, who has previously worked with Keightley in the England Women’s Academy, doesn’t foresee any major changes in team combinations or their approach under the new coach. Instead, she emphasised on peaking at the right time ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup, which begins on February 21 in Sydney.

“I am excited about The Hundred,” said Knight. “We’ve got a new head coach at London Spirit, replacing Lisa once she got the England job; I’m very much looking forward to playing next year.

“I hope it’s a massive success. I’m certainly looking forward to playing at Lord’s in the double-header with the men’s team and hopefully it will be a competition full of exciting cricket and people come out to watch it and support the women’s game as well.”