Gloucestershire left-armer Tom Smith joins England Women as spin-bowling coach

England Women have recruited former Gloucestershire left-arm spinner Tom Smith as a spin-bowling coach ahead of the T20 World Cup. Smith, 38, retired as a player last summer after an illustrious county career which included the 2015 Royal London Cup and 2024 T20 Vitality Blast titles. He the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the Blast’s history.

He moved into a player-coach role towards the fag end of his Gloucestershire career and has worked as a full-time assistant coach with the club since his professional 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 assistant Luke Williams, batting coach Alex Gidman, bowling coach Chris Liddle and fielding coach Nick Wilton in head coach Charlotte Edwards’ staff.

He is expected to work in tandem with Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Charlie Dean and Linsey Smith ahead of the T20 World Cup in June, and may also play a key role in the development of young 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.”