Jon Lewis Parts Ways with UP Warriorz After Three-Year WPL Tenure

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) franchise UP Warriorz has officially ended its association with head coach Jon Lewis after three seasons. The decision marks the close of a tenure that began with promise but saw diminishing returns over time.

Lewis, who joined the franchise ahead of the WPL’s inaugural season in 2023, had an encouraging start by guiding the Warriorz to the playoffs. However, the team fell short of the final, losing to Mumbai Indians. The subsequent seasons proved challenging. In 2024, the Warriorz finished second-last, securing just three wins in eight matches. The most recent campaign mirrored that result, with the team again managing only three wins and ending at the bottom of the points table.

The latest season was further marred by the injury of regular captain Alyssa Healy, which forced Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma to take on leadership duties.

Bidding farewell to their coach, UP Warriorz posted an emotional message on Instagram: “From day one, you believed in us. Through the highs, the learnings, and everything in between — Thank You, Coach Jon Lewis, for leading with heart, calm, and belief. You’ll always be a part of the Warriorz Family.”

Under Lewis’ guidance, UP Warriorz played 25 matches, winning nine. One of the highlights of his tenure came earlier this year when the team posted the highest-ever total in WPL history—225 runs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The match saw Australian youngster Georgia Voll hammer a brilliant 99* off 56 balls.

Lewis had been performing dual roles, also serving as head coach of the England women’s national team since November 2022. However, he stepped down from that role after England suffered a 16-0 clean sweep in the Women’s Ashes series against Australia.

Before transitioning to coaching, Jon Lewis enjoyed a long and successful playing career in English domestic cricket. A consistent wicket-taker primarily for Gloucestershire, he also had stints with Surrey and Sussex before retiring in 2014. Internationally, he represented England in one Test, 13 ODIs, and two T20Is, taking a total of 25 wickets. In first-class cricket, he claimed 849 wickets in 251 matches.