The England Women’s cricket team is poised for a new chapter, and at the heart of this transition stands Lydia Greenway – a name synonymous with grit, grace, and game-changing brilliance. As England gears up for a six-match white-ball series against West Indies, all eyes are not only on the freshly named squads but also on the trailblazing appointment of Greenway as the new National Selector.
This upcoming tour, comprising three T20 Internationals and three ODIs, marks the dawn of a new era under the newly appointed captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and head coach Charlotte Edwards. The curtain-raiser is set for May 21 in Canterbury, setting the stage for a summer of recalibrated ambition and fresh strategies.
Within the squads, Warwickshire’s Emily Arlott and Issy Wong earn their spots, while Alice Davidson-Richards and Emma Lamb make their return to the ODI format. The Blaze’s opener Tammy Beaumont and spin spearhead Linsey Smith – the top wicket-taker in the recent One Day Cup – have been rewarded with places in both formats.
Sophie Ecclestone, still recovering from a knee injury, has missed out despite a late return to domestic cricket. Meanwhile, promising all-rounders Freya Kemp and Danielle Gibson remain sidelined due to a back injury and a stress fracture, respectively. Maia Bouchier also misses the cut this time around.
Behind these selections is a newly assembled decision-making panel, featuring the strategic minds of head coach Charlotte Edwards, Managing Director Clare Connor, Performance Director Jonathan Finch, and now, Lydia Greenway. Though not within Sciver-Brunt’s responsibilities as captain, this quartet holds the reins of shaping England’s immediate cricketing future.
Greenway’s appointment marks a significant move by the ECB, symbolizing a focused shift toward enhanced structural clarity and sharper selection processes. With her, the board signals not just a change in personnel, but a shift in philosophy. Having worked closely with Edwards during their stint at Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League, Greenway brings synergy and a tactical edge to the table.
An icon of England’s cricketing past, Lydia Greenway retired from international cricket in June 2016 after a remarkable 13-year journey. Her resume gleams with 14 Tests, 126 ODIs, and 85 T20Is. Known for her composure in the middle order, Greenway amassed 362 runs in Tests at an average of 15.73, 2554 ODI runs at 30.04—including one century and 12 fifties—and 1192 T20I runs with a strike rate of 96.12. Beyond the numbers, she was hailed by peers and pundits alike as one of the best fielders in women’s cricket, famous for her stunning catches patrolling the deep.
Her transition from elite player to respected commentator, and now a high-stakes decision-maker, paints the portrait of a professional who has constantly evolved with the game. Greenway’s analytical sharpness and deep understanding of modern cricket dynamics position her perfectly for this role.
