Mark Robinson is to step down as head coach of England Women after four years in charge, the ECB have confirmed.
Under the former Sussex coach’s stewardship, England were triumphant in the ICC Women’s World Cup on home soil in 2017 and runners-up in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final in the Caribbean last year.
However, the 2019 Ashes series between England and Australia illustrated the gap in class between the third-highest and highest-ranked ODI side in the world, and there will now be a parting of ways.
“Mark can reflect on his time as England coach with a great deal of pride,” said ECB managing director of women’s cricket, Clare Connor. “He drove high standards across young players to become the best team in the world as well as coaching them to understand the demands of professional sport.
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England won the 2017 Women’s World Cup Final at Lord’s two years ago[/caption]
“Mark passionately championed the development of the women’s game during his time in this role and we thank him for all he has contributed to England women’s cricket during such an exciting stage of our journey. However, after discussions with Mark, we have agreed that now is the right time for him to step down.”
Robinson added: “Although the recent Ashes was a difficult series, a few hard weeks doesn’t take anything away from what has been a wonderful four years. I’ve had so many highlights and memorable moments.
“Nothing could ever surpass winning the ICC Women’s World Cup on home soil, but from a pure coaching perspective, reaching the T20 final last November – with a depleted team, three non-contracted players and three players twenty years old or younger – is a huge personal highlight.
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“It’s been exciting to watch so many players grow and to watch so many records broken, but it feels the right time for me to take on a new challenge and to allow a different voice to come in before the next T20 World Cup in Australia.”
Assistant coach Alastair Maiden will take temporary charge of the team ahead of the ICC Women’s Championship series against Pakistan in December.
