England Women's team look to replace Harmer

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is seeking a new Head Coach for the England Women's Cricket Team following John Harmer's decision to return to his native Australia and not extend his two year contract.

John Harmer took over as Head Coach in July 2000, and has overseen a revolutionary change in the coaching of England's elite female players. John has also improved England's one-day world ranking from fifth to third during his tenure.

A world-class cricket coach who led the Australia women's cricket team to three World Cup finals in his eight years in charge of the squad from 1992-2000, Harmer is a bio-mechanist whose influence will be felt throughout English cricket as he also dedicated a good deal of time to coach education.

John Harmer said "It has been a great opportunity to work with top level English coaches and players and I have taken a lot of pleasure from seeing how much the England Team have developed. I wish them all the very best in the future and look forward to seeing them again when they visit Australia."

Gill McConway, ECB Executive Director of Women's Cricket said "I have had the immense pleasure of working closely with John in the past couple of years and he has taken giant steps forward in ensuring our aim that England are one of the top two women's teams by 2007.

Together we have implemented a new structure of coaching for the women's game with regional based centres and Super Fours, the domestic competition for elite women's players. We will all miss John, but thank him for the hard work and inspiration he has bought to the women's game".

The England Captain, Clare Connor, said "The team, like me, will be hugely disappointed that John is leaving the post. But, we have relished the opportunity to work with one of the world's best coaches, and we have all learnt so much from John. We must build on the solid foundations he has established and we are all much better players than we were two years ago".

John Harmer will remain with the England Squad until a replacement has been found.

In the 2000 World Cup, England finished fifth behind New Zealand (Champions), Australia (runners-up), India and South Africa.

Winter 2000/01

Lost One-Day Series to India in India Drew one Test including world record opening stand for the first wicket between Caroline Atkins and Arran Thompson

Summer 2001

Contested triangular One-Day Series against World Champions NZ and India. Beat India in all three one-day games, but lost to NZ in the Final.

Winter 2001/2

Finished third (behind Australia and NZ) in the quadrangular One-Day World Series, beating India twice.

Lost the Ashes Test Series to Australia, 1-0, losing the first Test at The Gabba and drawing the second Test at The Bankstown Oval, Sydney. Second Test included world record equalling eleven wicket haul for Lucy Pearson, England's strike bowler.