Former Australia batter extends her stay with Sydney Thunder after guiding the team to two WBBL playoff appearances in three seasons

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Sydney Thunder have secured a major boost ahead of the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) seasons, with experienced coach Lisa Keightley signing a two-year contract extension that will keep her at the club until the end of 2027.

The former Australian batter has been in charge of Sydney Thunder for the past three years and has played a key role in rebuilding the side into a competitive force in the WBBL. Under her leadership, Thunder reached the Eliminator in 2023 and advanced to the Challenger in 2024. Although the team endured a disappointing 2025 campaign, finishing seventh on the table, the club remains confident in Keightley’s long-term vision.

Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished coaches in women’s cricket, Keightley brings a wealth of experience from both international and franchise cricket. Throughout her coaching career, she has worked with Australia, England, New South Wales, Western Australia, Perth Scorchers, Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Northern Superchargers, and MI London. She also guided Northern Superchargers to the 2025 Women’s Hundred title before the franchise’s transition to Superchargers Leeds.

Speaking after signing the extension, Keightley expressed her excitement about continuing her journey with Sydney Thunder and highlighted the potential within the squad.

She praised several emerging and established players, including Australian stars Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll, who have recently impressed at the international level. Keightley also acknowledged Tahlia Wilson for earning her Australia debut following another strong domestic season, while highlighting the development of Anika Learoyd and promising youngster Lucy Finn, who delivered several standout performances during her debut campaign.

Despite last season’s struggles, Keightley remains optimistic about the future of the club.

She emphasized that the squad possesses the talent and depth required to challenge for championships and believes the work being done behind the scenes is laying the foundation for sustained success. According to Keightley, the team is building towards something special and is determined to return to genuine title contention in the upcoming WBBL seasons.

Sydney Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland welcomed the contract extension and described Keightley as one of the most respected figures in women’s cricket.

Copeland noted that Keightley remains a highly sought-after coach globally, making her decision to stay with Thunder particularly significant. He also highlighted her role in nurturing the leadership and development of young stars such as Phoebe Litchfield, a factor he believes will be crucial for both Sydney Thunder and Australian cricket in the years ahead.

With Keightley committing to the club through 2027, Thunder officials are confident that the combination of a talented playing group, strong coaching structure, and supportive environment can help deliver WBBL success over the next two seasons and beyond.