Lisa Keightley signs 2-year WBBL extension with Sydney Thunder
Synopsis
Lisa Keightley — already juggling head-coach roles at Mumbai Indians and MI London — has locked in two more years with Sydney Thunder through WBBL|13. After a disappointing WBBL|11, the decorated coach is betting on Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, and Tahlia Wilson to power a Thunder revival.
Key Takeaways
Lisa Keightley has signed a two-year extension as Sydney Thunder head coach, running through WBBL|13 .
Keightley has led Thunder to 17 wins and two finals series across her three seasons in charge.
She concurrently coaches Mumbai Indians (WPL) and MI London (The Hundred).
Key players Phoebe Litchfield , Georgia Voll , and Tahlia Wilson were cited as central to Thunder's title ambitions.
General Manager Trent Copeland described Keightley as a 'genuine legend of women's cricket' with global coaching interest.
Lisa Keightley has signed a two-year contract extension with the Sydney Thunder, committing to the role of head coach through to the end of WBBL|13. The announcement, confirmed by the club on 23 June, keeps one of women's cricket's most decorated coaches in Thunder colours after a three-season stint that has produced 17 wins and two finals appearances.
A Coaching Career Built Across Continents
Keightley brings a globally recognised coaching pedigree to the extension. She has previously led Australia Women and England Women at the international level, guided the Perth Scorchers to two WBBL Finals, and steered the Northern Superchargers to a Women's Hundred title. She is currently also serving as head coach of Mumbai Indians in the Women's Premier League (WPL) and MI London in The Hundred, underlining the breadth of demand for her services across franchise cricket.
As a player, Keightley appeared in nine Tests, 82 ODIs, and one T20 international, and is widely regarded as one of the greats of New South Wales and Australian women's cricket.
Keightley's Message to Thunder Fans
'I'm really excited to be staying with Sydney Thunder for another two years. We've got the talent that can make us a title-winning side,' Keightley said in a statement attributed to the club.
She pointed to the form of key players as grounds for optimism. 'Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll have both been outstanding for Australia recently. We saw Tahlia Wilson make her international debut for Australia off the back of another great year,' she added.
Acknowledging a difficult WBBL|11 campaign, Keightley was direct about the road ahead: 'Last season was obviously disappointing from an on-field perspective. We know we have a much better performance in us, and we will be pushing ourselves to get back into genuine contention. I know this group, the work we're doing behind the scenes, and I believe the squad is building towards something special in the upcoming season.'
What the Club Said
Sydney Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland described the signing as a significant retention for the franchise. 'Lisa is a genuine legend of women's cricket, and we couldn't be happier that she's sticking with us. She's a highly sought-after coach with interest from teams around the world, but she loves being here, and we love having her at Thunder,' Copeland said.
What This Means for WBBL|12 and Beyond
The extension signals Thunder's intent to rebuild after a below-par season, with Keightley expected to integrate her experience from WPL and The Hundred into the squad's preparation. With Litchfield and Voll in the mix and Wilson's international debut adding momentum, the club will be eyeing a return to finals contention when WBBL|12 gets underway later in 2025.
Point of View
And how Thunder manages that calendar will be as important as the squad depth Keightley is building. A WBBL|11 miss after two finals appearances is a blip, not a trend — but only if WBBL|12 delivers.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Lisa Keightley's new contract with Sydney Thunder?
Keightley has signed a two-year extension that keeps her as Sydney Thunder's head coach through to the end of WBBL|13. The deal was confirmed by the club on 23 June.
What has Keightley achieved as Sydney Thunder coach?
Across three seasons, Keightley has led Sydney Thunder to 17 wins and two finals series appearances. The club missed the finals in WBBL|11, which she has acknowledged as a disappointing campaign.
What other teams does Lisa Keightley currently coach?
In addition to her Thunder role, Keightley is head coach of Mumbai Indians in the Women's Premier League (WPL) and MI London in The Hundred, making her one of the most in-demand coaches in the global women's game.
Which Sydney Thunder players did Keightley highlight for the upcoming season?
Keightley singled out Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll for their recent performances for Australia, and noted Tahlia Wilson's international debut as a sign of the squad's growing depth.
What is Keightley's background as a player and coach?
As a player, Keightley represented Australia in nine Tests, 82 ODIs, and one T20 international. As a coach, she has led Australia Women, England Women, guided Perth Scorchers to two WBBL Finals, and won a Women's Hundred title with Northern Superchargers.
