England Women have strengthened their coaching setup by appointing former left-arm spinner Tom Smith as an assistant coach, with a dedicated focus on spin bowling ahead of a pivotal 2026 campaign.
Smith arrives with extensive experience from both his playing days and coaching career. Over nearly 20 years as a professional cricketer, he claimed close to 400 wickets across formats while representing Sussex, Surrey, Middlesex and Gloucestershire. He began his coaching journey at Gloucestershire, initially combining playing and coaching duties in 2021 before transitioning into a full-time assistant coach role in 2025. His experience in the women’s game also includes a stint as assistant coach with Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred.
Key Addition Ahead of Busy Home Summer
The appointment comes at an important juncture for England, with a demanding home schedule ahead. The upcoming fixtures include the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, a marquee women’s Test at Lord’s, and white-ball series against New Zealand, India and Ireland.
Enhancing specialist coaching areas such as spin bowling will be crucial as England prepare for a competitive stretch. With established spin options like Linsey Smith, Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean in the squad, Smith’s role will be central to refining and supporting that unit.
Edwards Welcomes Smith’s Experience
Head coach Charlotte Edwards expressed her enthusiasm about the addition, underlining Smith’s background and the value he brings to the group.
“I’m delighted Tom is joining us as our spin bowling coach after a professional playing career spanning nearly 20 years as a left-arm spinner, most notably at Gloucestershire, before moving into coaching at the same county and working with Birmingham Phoenix women.”
She also highlighted the impact he is expected to have on the squad’s spin resources.
“Tom is hugely respected in the game and was a vastly experienced white-ball bowler who will no doubt share some of his great knowledge. Our group of spin bowlers will benefit massively from his skills and experience.”
Smith Eager for New Challenge
Smith described the opportunity as a significant milestone in his coaching career and expressed excitement about the upcoming season.
“The opportunity to coach England Women is an amazing one, and I’m incredibly excited to get started. It’s shaping up to be a brilliant summer, with a home World Cup on the horizon and a T20 series against India.”
With a packed international calendar approaching, England Women will be focused on fine-tuning all aspects of their game. Smith’s inclusion adds specialist expertise at a time when detailed preparation and tactical precision will be essential.
