Lancashire Thunder is delighted to announce that former Australian international Alex Blackwell has joined the backroom staff as a coach at Emirates Old Trafford ahead of the 2018 Kia Super League campaign.
The batter from New South Wales will join Thunder following her retirement at the end of the recent Australian season. After making her international debut in 2003, she went on to play in 251 international matches, a record for an Australian woman, whilst the two-time ICC Cricket World Cup winner also added three ICC World T20 titles to her trophy collection.
Blackwell has had success in both the Women’s National Cricket League, with the dominant New South Wales side, winning the competition an incredible 14 times, and in the Women’s Big Bash League with Sydney Thunder, winning the title in the first year of the competition.
She has already experienced the Kia Super League in 2016 as an overseas player with Yorkshire Diamonds and is now switching her sights to a career off the field.
Blackwell said, “I am excited to work with local up and coming cricketers, in addition to some of the world’s best, as coach of Lancashire Thunder in the Kia Super League this year.
“After recently retiring from a 15 year international cricket career, I’m keen to get into coaching and I am thrilled to be given an opportunity to coach in one of the world’s premier T20 competitions.
“My experience as Captain of the inaugural Women’s Big Bash League winning Sydney Thunder team, has given me great insight into what it takes to win a T20 tournament.
“I look forward to assisting each of the Lancashire Thunder squad members to enjoy the Kia Super League and reach new heights both individually and as a squad”
Thunder General Manager, Bobby Cross, added, “Alex is a proven winner and she has had a remarkable playing career. Aside from her ability with the bat, she is renowned for the way in which she thinks about the game and for the strength of her beliefs. After speaking at length with her about Lancashire Thunder I am confident she will be a huge asset to our team.
“With the Kia Super League expanding to a longer tournament this year, and following two disappointing campaigns, both myself and Lancashire’s Director of Cricket Paul Allott, were keen to bring in somebody who we feel can work alongside our coaching staff and help a talented group of players to perform on the field. Alex fits the bill perfectly and we are very excited to have her with us.”
Blackwell will join up with the squad prior to the competition which kicks off for Thunder on July 22, as they host Loughborough Lightning at Southport CC. Tickets can be bought for Lancashire Thunder’s home fixtures from just £5 for adults and £1 for juniors from lancashirecricket.co.uk/tickets.
Courtesy of Lancashire Cricket Club
