WBBL – Sydney Thunder Secures Lisa Keightley’s Coaching Future Until 2028
WBBL – Sydney Thunder has strengthened its long-term plans by confirming that head coach Lisa Keightley will continue with the club for the next two Women’s Big Bash League seasons, extending her tenure through the conclusion of WBBL 13.
The agreement provides continuity for the Sydney-based franchise as it looks to rebound from a challenging campaign and re-establish itself among the competition’s leading teams.
Thunder Backs Experienced Coach for Future Success
Keightley has overseen the Thunder program for the past three seasons, guiding the side to 17 victories and two appearances in the finals during that period. Her extension reflects the confidence the club has in her leadership and ability to develop a competitive squad.
Widely respected across international cricket, Keightley brings extensive experience both as a former player and coach. During her playing career, she represented Australia in nine Test matches, 82 One-Day Internationals, and one Twenty20 International, earning recognition as one of the prominent figures in New South Wales and Australian women’s cricket.
Strong Coaching Record Across Global Competitions
Beyond her role with Sydney Thunder, Keightley remains actively involved in some of the world’s premier women’s cricket tournaments. She currently serves as head coach of Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League and also leads MI London in The Hundred competition.
Her coaching résumé includes high-profile appointments with both the Australian and England women’s national teams. She also guided Perth Scorchers to two Women’s Big Bash League finals and helped Northern Superchargers secure a Women’s Hundred championship, further cementing her reputation as one of the game’s most accomplished coaches.
Confidence in Emerging Talent
Speaking after the announcement, Keightley expressed enthusiasm about continuing her work with the Thunder and highlighted the quality of talent within the squad.
She pointed to the recent performances of Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll on the international stage as examples of the team’s growing strength. Keightley also praised wicketkeeper-batter Tahlia Wilson, who earned her Australian debut following another impressive domestic season.
According to Keightley, the club possesses the talent required to compete for major honours and believes the current group has significant potential to challenge for the title in the coming years.
Determined to Bounce Back After Difficult Season
Despite the optimism surrounding the squad, Keightley acknowledged that the previous WBBL campaign fell short of expectations. Sydney Thunder struggled to produce consistent results and finished outside the finals positions.
However, she remains confident that the lessons learned from last season will help drive improvement. Keightley noted that substantial work is taking place behind the scenes and believes the squad is moving in the right direction ahead of the next season.
The coach said the objective is clear: return to genuine finals contention and deliver performances that better reflect the ability within the group.
Club Leadership Welcomes Contract Extension
Sydney Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland welcomed the decision, describing Keightley as one of the most respected figures in women’s cricket.
Copeland said the club was delighted to retain a coach of her calibre, particularly given the interest she attracts from teams around the world. He added that Keightley has become an important part of the Thunder environment and that the organisation is excited to continue building for the future under her leadership.
With the extension now confirmed, Sydney Thunder will head into the upcoming WBBL seasons with stability in the coaching ranks and renewed ambitions of returning to the competition’s top contenders.