Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / WOMEN'S CRICKET
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Cricket Contents:  Future tour dates | England | International Teams | Counties | Women's cricket | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Test Match Special

Friday, 4 May 2007, 08:52 GMT 09:52 UK

Fitzpatrick targets England role

By Sam Lyon

Cathryn Fitzpatrick Former Australia pace bowler Cathryn Fitzpatrick has applied to succeed Richard Bates as England women's coach.

Bates is stepping down after four years in charge, having guided England to four successive series wins, including the 2005 Women's Ashes.

And Fitzpatrick, who has been working with the elite squads at Australia's Centre of Excellence in recent years, admits she would "love" the job.

"I am interested and have got in touch with the ECB," she told BBC Sport.

The 39-year-old, the fastest bowler in women's cricket, announced her retirement after 16 years playing the game last month.

"It would be fantastic for me to be given the chance to get in there, roll my sleeves up and get my hands dirty"
Cathryn Fitzpatrick

And, having worked alongside the likes of former England bowling coach Troy Cooley at the Centre in Brisbane, Fitzpatrick is keen to cut her teeth as Bates's successor.

"I think I've got quite a few things to offer," she said. "Obviously I'm fresh out of cricket so my knowledge of how the women's game has evolved and needs to continue to evolve is quite fresh.

"I think I would also bring a lot through my recent experiences at the Centre of Excellence and being fortunate enough to have worked with some excellent people like (new Australia coach) Tim Nielsen, Jamie Siddons, Mike Young and Troy Cooley in the last 12 months.

Cathryn Fitzpatrick

"There's a broad mix of all the different skills involved there. I'd like to think I have leant from them all - and I may just have a few secret weapons as well."

Fitzpatrick also paid tribute to Bates, saying: "He has done a fantastic job. He built on the success of John Harmer before him and there's quite a legacy to be continued there.

"It would be fantastic for me to be given the chance to get in there, roll my sleeves up and get my hands dirty and maybe introduce some different things.

"But I wouldn't like or need to change too much as they are on the right track as it is."



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Bates quits England women's role (02 Apr 07 |  Women's cricket )
Fiery Fitzpatrick calls it a day (27 Mar 07 |  Women's cricket )
England women on the up (19 Sep 05 |  Women's cricket )
Fitzpatrick lands coaching award (19 Apr 05 |  Women's cricket )
Maintaining first-class delivery (22 Mar 05 |  Women's cricket )
The demon fast bowler (15 Jun 01 |  Womens Ashes )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Scorecards on mobiles
Southern Stars
Cricket Australia
England and Wales Cricket Board
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Cricket Contents:  Future tour dates | England | International Teams | Counties | Women's cricket | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Test Match Special

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©