Heather Knight was relieved of her duties as captain of the England women's cricket team on March 22 (Sunday), concluding a nine-year tenure. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced that this decision followed the team's underwhelming performances in the previous year's Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE and the recent Ashes series in Australia, where they failed to secure a victory in any format.

In a statement, the ECB noted, "In light of the team's disappointing results in last year's T20 World Cup and the recent Ashes series, we have decided to appoint a new captain to guide the team into a new era. Knight's successor will be announced soon."

Knight remains eligible for selection across all formats. This decision was made just a day after the ECB dismissed Jon Lewis, the head coach of the women's team.

As a distinguished top-order batter, Knight has captained England Women in 199 matches across various formats since 2016. Under her leadership, the team achieved a home World Cup victory in 2017 and reached the finals of two other ICC tournaments. She recorded 134 wins as captain, making her the second most successful captain in the history of England Women’s cricket.

Additionally, she led the team to an unprecedented streak of eight consecutive ODI series victories, which included a win against Australia during the 2023 home Ashes. In that series, England also triumphed in the IT20 series, resulting in a thrilling draw in the Women’s Ashes and significantly elevating interest in international women's cricket.

‘Captaining England most rewarding’: Knight

Knight expressed her appreciation to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the opportunity to lead the England women's team over the past nine years. She noted that it is now time for her to shift her focus back to her role as a batter. "Serving as captain of my country for the last nine years has been the greatest honor of my life, and I will remember my time in this role with immense pride. I have enjoyed the challenge of leading the team, but all good things must come to an end, and it is time for me to return to the ranks and concentrate on being the best batter and teammate I can be."

"Winning the ICC Women’s World Cup on home soil at Lord’s in 2017 will always stand out as a significant achievement, but I take equal pride in the substantial progress made in women's cricket off the field."

"I extend my gratitude to all the players and staff who have dedicated themselves throughout this journey, particularly Mark, Lisa, and Jon, the three head coaches with whom I have thoroughly enjoyed working. The people involved truly make this role special."

"I also want to thank the fans who have supported me and the team through both triumphs and challenges. Lastly, to my friends, family, and my long-suffering partner Tim, you have shared this journey with me, and I could not have reached this point without your unwavering support."

"Being the captain of England has been an incredibly fulfilling chapter of my career, but I am now eager to focus on my batting and to support the team and the new captain in every way possible."

Knight made her debut for England in 2010 and, a decade later, became the first player, male or female, to score an international century in all three formats of the game.

"Heather has been an exceptional leader as the captain of England Women’s team. She has set a remarkable example both on and off the field, demonstrating her capabilities through her performances, often under challenging circumstances," stated Clare Connor, ECB Managing Director for England Women and Deputy Chief Executive Officer.

Read Also: CSK vs MI Live: Where to Watch IPL 2025 Match Online & on TV

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!