England Women appoint Tom Smith as spin-bowling coach from Gloucestershire

England Women have recruited Tom Smith, the former Gloucestershire left-arm spinner, as a spin-bowling coach ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Smith, 38, retired as a player last summer after an extensive county career which included the 2015 Royal London Cup and 2024 T20 Blast titles. He is also the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the Blast’s history.

He moved into a player-coach role towards the end of his Gloucestershire career and has worked as a full-time assistant coach with the club since his playing retirement. Smith also worked under Ali Maiden on the women’s coaching staff at Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred last year.

Smith will work alongside Luke Williams (assistant), Alex Gidman (batting), Chris Liddle (bowling) and Nick Wilton (wicketkeeping/fielding) in head coach Charlotte Edwards’ staff.

He is expected to work closely with Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Charlie Dean and Linsey Smith ahead of the T20 World Cup in June, and may also play a significant role in the development of teenaged left-arm spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman, who impressed at a recent training camp in South Africa.

“I’m delighted Tom is joining us,” Edwards said. “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.”

Jon Lewis, Gloucestershire’s director of cricket who was Edwards’ predecessor as England Women’s head coach, said the club were “obviously disappointed” to lose Smith shortly before the start of the season but “really proud” to have helped him develop as a coach.

Smith will leave the club after the first day of their second County Championship fixture against Durham next Friday, and Lewis revealed that Wellington coach Shane Jurgensen will deputise on a short-term basis for the first half of the season while a long-term replacement is sought.

England’s women will face New Zealand, India and Ireland in bilateral series this summer but the main event of the 2026 season is the home T20 World Cup, which starts on June 12.

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all the players, staff and supporters for the incredible support both my family and I have received throughout my time at Gloucestershire,” Smith said. “It’s been a really special journey. Through some of the toughest moments, the warmth and backing from everyone at the club has meant so much to us, something we’ll never forget.

“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. I’ll also be returning to Bristol for the India T20 [on May 30], which will be a really special experience and one I’m very much looking forward to.

“I’d like to thank Jon Lewis, Mark Alleyne and everyone at Gloucestershire for their understanding and support during this transition. I wish the players, staff and supporters all the very best for the summer ahead and beyond.”

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