England’s Women’s Ashes campaign continues to crumble as Jon Lewis faces mounting scrutiny, but the head coach insists he’s the right man to lead the team forward

England Women’s head coach, Jon Lewis, remains defiant despite a disastrous Ashes campaign that has seen his team lose all five matches so far. Speaking in Adelaide ahead of the final T20 match, Lewis dismissed speculation about his future, asserting his belief in his leadership.

“I don’t employ myself,” he stated. “I’m really comfortable with the job that I’m doing and excited about what the future holds for this team,” Lewis added that he feels the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) fully supports him, even as fans and critics grow increasingly vocal.

The ECB has announced a full review of the series, set to conclude on 2 February. This review will likely also assess the performance of long-serving captain Heather Knight, who has yet to win an Ashes series in her nine-year tenure. Lewis refrained from confirming Knight’s future, saying, “After the tour, we’ll reflect and think about the right path for the team.”

Despite the humiliating 10-0 series scoreline so far, Lewis rejected claims that England are failing to confront the scale of their defeat. “We’re really honest as a group,” he insisted. However, tensions within the camp were highlighted when Sophie Ecclestone refused a TV interview with Alex Hartley, who had criticised the team’s fitness. Lewis disapproved of Ecclestone’s decision, emphasising the importance of engaging with the media.

Lewis also controversially attributed Australia’s superior athleticism to “cultural differences” and their active lifestyle. “I walked from Bondi to Coogee last Sunday, and everyone’s playing touch rugby or swimming. Australia has an advantage in athleticism,” he claimed.

The England team faces mounting pressure to salvage some pride in the remaining matches. Australia’s Grace Harris has publicly set her sights on a 16-0 whitewash, a statement Lewis plans to use as motivation. “The players know they need to win matches,” he said. “They’re working incredibly hard to do that.”

England’s final T20 takes place in Adelaide on Saturday, followed by a pink-ball Test in Melbourne starting 30 January. Whether these matches mark a turning point or deepen England’s woes remains to be seen.