Former Australian international Lisa Keightley became the first woman to be appointed full-time coach of the England women's cricket team on Wednesday the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced.
The 48-year-old who played nine Tests and 85 One Day Internationals succeeds Mark Robinson and will take up her post in January.
Keightley -- who coached the England Women's Academy between 2011 and 2015 -- takes over a team that like their male counterparts are world champions in the 50 over format.
"I'm massively excited. It's a huge opportunity," said Keightley, who went on to win the World Cup as a player in her swansong season in 2005.
"It's a team full of world-class players and to be given the chance to work with some of the players who I worked with a few years ago is really exciting.
"I can't wait to get started and see where we can get to.
"England are the current 50-over world champions and they made it to the final of the last ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
"They're a very competitive side and they wouldn't be in big matches like that if they didn't have a really strong group of players who can perform on the big stage."
Former Australian men's coach Darren Lehmann welcomed her appointment tweeting: