Browne named lead batting coach for Essex Women

Former opener Nick Browne has been named as the lead batting coach for Essex Women after ending his playing career.

The left-hander scored almost 9,000 runs in all formats of the county game, including 22 centuries, and twice helped Essex win the County Championship.

He will now work as an assistant to new head coach Stephen Parry as they look to improve results in the second season of fully professional women's cricket in 2026.

"I spent some time with Essex Women during the summer and I thoroughly enjoyed it, so to be offered the role full-time is really exciting," said Browne.

"Following my retirement at the end of the season, I was determined to get into coaching and share some of the knowledge I have gained over the years."

Former Ireland international Cath Dalton has, meanwhile, been named as seam bowling coach.

Essex finished seventh in the group stage of the 2025 Women's T20 Blast, winning four of their 14 games, and were bottom of the table in the 50-over One-Day Cup with just two victories.

"Throughout his playing career Nick displayed a tremendous amount of professionalism and dedication to his game and Essex Cricket," said director of cricket Chris Silverwood.

"His professionalism, calm leadership, and deep understanding of the game makes him a more than ideal mentor for our Women's team."

Dalton played more than 50 games for Essex during her career and said: "My experiences representing Ireland internationally and playing for the England Academy have been invaluable, and it feels fitting to bring that back to the club that gave me so many early opportunities and helped shaped my development."

There will be nine teams with tier one status in the women's game next year, with Yorkshire joining the eight involved in the first season.