Source – WPL
Lisa Keightley stands out as a highly accomplished coach in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), admired for her strategic mindset, calm leadership, and strong grasp of contemporary women’s cricket. Serving as a WPL head coach, she brings extensive international exposure and a strong reputation for shaping balanced and competitive squads.
Within the WPL setup, Lisa Keightley’s coaching approach revolves around structure, flexibility, and getting the best out of every player. She prioritizes a positive team environment, high fitness benchmarks, and smart match preparation—factors that have enabled her side to compete effectively against elite teams such as Mumbai Indians (MI), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Delhi Capitals (DC), and UP Warriorz (UPW).
Keightley is especially recognized for her role in nurturing emerging Indian talent in the WPL, while seamlessly handling experienced overseas players. Her tactical awareness—seen in clever bowling changes, proactive field placements, and steady guidance to batters under pressure—has established her as a dependable WPL team strategist. During Lisa Keightley’s tenure in the WPL, her team has shown notable progress in powerplay execution, middle-overs control, and end-overs planning. Cricket experts frequently credit her composed decision-making and analytical thinking for consistent results in tense WPL encounters.
Playing Career
Lisa Keightley is a former Australian international player who earned recognition as a dependable right-hand opening batter during her cricketing career. Her time on the field was defined by consistency, strong discipline, and a clear commitment to team success.
She represented the Australian Women’s national side in all three formats — Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 Internationals. Opening the batting, Keightley was responsible for setting the tone at the top of the order and providing stability in the early stages of an innings.
Keightley made her Test debut in 2003, displaying solid defensive technique and the patience required to build long innings. In the limited-overs formats, especially ODIs, she was valued for her composure, intelligent strike rotation, and ability to perform reliably in pressure situations.
Across her international career, she registered several half-centuries and remained a consistent contributor in key matches. She also enjoyed a successful spell in Australian domestic women’s cricket, where her performances became a benchmark for emerging players.
Alongside her batting, Keightley’s athletic fielding and sharp game awareness added further value to the team. These qualities later translated seamlessly into her coaching career, where she has continued to influence and shape modern women’s cricket.
Coaching Career
After retiring from international cricket, Lisa moved into coaching and has earned global recognition for her expertise.
National Teams
- She has served as a coach for the Australian Women’s team.
- She also became the head coach of England Women, one of the few women to hold that position at the international level.
Franchise & Domestic Success
- Previously worked with Delhi Capitals Women in the WPL before joining the Mumbai Indians.
- Coached in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) with Sydney Thunder.
- Led Northern Superchargers to the women’s title in The Hundred (England).
Head Coach – Mumbai Indians (WPL)
In September 2025, the Mumbai Indians appointed Lisa Keightley as head coach of their women’s team for the 2026 WPL season, replacing Charlotte Edwards, who took over as England Women’s coach.
Her hiring signals MI’s intent to maintain its winning culture and continue its success in the league.
Previously worked with Delhi Capitals Women in the WPL before joining the Mumbai Indians.
Reports indicate that Keightley aims to build the team around star players like Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver‑Brunt, and Hayley Matthews, while instilling a professional mindset, tactical insight, and focus on player development throughout the squad.