ECB to appoint strategic lead for England Women's cricket beneath senior team

Among the points laid out in the job description, applicants will "have a track record overseeing programmes that prepare and expose players to tournament and international cricket"

The next phase of the restructuring of women's cricket in England will see the appointment of a head of performance pathways.

The role, which was posted online on Monday with a deadline for applications on February 13, is viewed as a strategic position, taking charge of all England Women's cricket beneath the senior team, with an emphasis on long-term planning.

Jonathan Finch is already in place as director of England Women's cricket, a post with an overarching remit.

"The [England Women's] head of performance pathways will play a key role in ensuring all those engaged in the pathway experience a highly effective learning and development environment that creates positive, lifelong moments and memories," reads the job description provided by the ECB.

"With a clear direction to develop an inclusive and diverse pathway for players, coaches and support staff the role will play a fundamental part in ensuring the success of England Women's cricket on the international stage."

It is anticipated that England A head coach John Stanworth will report to the successful candidate, with the introduction of the new job especially significant in light of England A's tour of Australia this winter – a first – and the plans around women's international under-19 cricket, with a World Cup slated for January 2023.

^{Charlotte Edwards is currently in Australia with England A (James Chance/Getty Images)}

Among the points laid out in the advert, applicants will "have a track record overseeing programmes that prepare and expose players to tournament and international cricket" and experience of "working within a high-performing environment within women's team sport".

The successful candidate will "work closely with the director for England Women's cricket to establish an effective insight-based selection process for the England Women's A and England Women's U19 programmes".

They will also work in tandem with head coaches in the regional structure in order "to ensure the short, medium and long-term needs of future England Women's players are catered for".

Ahead of England A's winter tour, for which Charlotte Edwards was enlisted as Stanworth's assistant, the semantic decision was taken to rename the second string, having previously been known as England Academy.

"I've never liked the Academy tag on our players who have played for England A which, as we know, is the equivalent to the men's England Lions," Edwards told The Cricketer. "England A are the next-best players to play cricket for England."