In a significant move ahead of The Women’s Hundred 2025, Southern Brave have confirmed the appointment of Luke Williams as their new head coach, following Charlotte Edwards’ move to coaching the England women’s team.
The transition sees Williams, Edwards’ long-time assistant and one of the most respected brains in women’s cricket, take the helm of a side he helped build from the ground up. The appointment marks a pivotal moment for the Southern Brave as they look to bounce back from a dismal 2024 season.
Charlotte Edwards’ departure is the culmination of a hugely successful chapter for Southern Brave. Under her guidance, the Brave finished runners-up in the inaugural 2021 and 2022 editions before finally lifting the coveted title in 2023, a journey in which Williams played a pivotal role as her deputy.
Williams’ appointment signals continuity and ambition in equal measure. Having been an integral part of the coaching setup since the competition’s inception, he understands the team’s fabric and ethos, with a proven knack for maximising squad potential.
His experience and winning mentality are likely to be a major asset as Southern Brave seek to recapture their earlier glory. His elevation comes after a recent stint as consultant coach with England Women during the West Indies series, further underlining his credentials at the highest level.
Williams arrives with an impressive coaching resume. Beyond his successes with Southern Brave, he masterminded Adelaide Strikers’ maiden Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) title in 2022 and repeated the triumph in 2023, cementing his status among the best coaches in the women’s game.
His adaptability was also on display as he steered Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their first-ever trophy in the Women’s Premier League 2024, making him a sought-after tactician in the women’s game worldwide.
Williams’ familiarity with the Brave setup and key players, such as South African captain Laura Wolvaardt, a vital cog in Adelaide Strikers’ lineup, offers a seamless transition. The squad, carefully assembled in this year’s draft, balances continuity and fresh talent, primed to build on their title-winning momentum.
Speaking on his appointment, Williams said, “It’s a privilege to take charge of Southern Brave this year from Charlotte Edwards. Having worked with the team for a number of years, we have an excellent group of players and staff and recruited well in the draft earlier this year, so hopefully we can get back to Finals Day and lift the trophy this summer.”
The upcoming campaign is shaping up to be one of redemption for the Southern Brave. The 2024 season was a nightmare by their standards, finishing bottom of the table with just 3 points from 8 games, including six defeats, a solitary win over Oval Invincibles, and a tied clash with Hollie Armitage’s Northern Superchargers. The leadership of Georgia Adams failed to find the winning formula, and the Braves’ faithful will be eager for a swift turnaround.
The Women’s Hundred has rapidly evolved into a showpiece for elite cricket, and Southern Brave’s determined recruitment and investment in leadership reflect their status as perennial contenders. While Edwards begins her tenure with England Women, her legacy endures in the form of a robust, confident Brave side now under Williams’ guidance.
With Finals Day once again in their sights, the franchise and its ever-growing fanbase will hope the Williams era extends Brave’s legacy at the summit of women’s domestic cricket. All eyes are now on The Hundred 2025 from 5th August 2025, as Southern Brave set their sights on another crown with a new head coach but the same winning mentality.
(Quotes sourced from ESPN)
