RCB appoints Big Bash winner Luke Williams as head coach for WPL

Royal Challengers Bangalore have appointed Australian Luke Williams as their head coach for Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 season. Williams replaces Ben Sawyer, who served in the role for the inaugural edition of the WPL.

Williams, who played First-Class cricket for South Australia, comes into the RCB setup with a highly decorated CV to back his coaching credentials.

The 43-year-old won the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) title with the Adelaide Strikers as head coach in 2022, after having coached them to the runners-up position in 2019 and 2021.

Williams also served in a role as assistant coach to England legend Charlotte Edwards at the Southern Brave in the Women’s Hundred 2023 competition, a team that also featured RCB-W skipper Smriti Mandhana, guiding them to their first-ever title.

Apart from his achievements in franchise cricket, Williams coached the South Australian Scorpions in the Women’s National Cricket League (50 overs) to two runners-up finishes from his four seasons with the team.

Williams expressed his excitement on his new role and said, “I am thrilled to have been provided this opportunity with RCB and can’t wait to get started with the team’s preparations for the second season of the WPL. I look forward to working with a playing group that will host a number of the most exciting players in Indian and world cricket as we look to bring a bold and exciting style of play and success to our huge and passionate fan base.” 

On the occasion Prathmesh Mishra, Chief Commercial Officer, Diageo India, and Chairman of RCB, said, “We are grateful to Ben Sawyer for bringing together a team for the inaugural Women’s Premier League. Sawyer leaves behind a team that showed hunger to do better. I wish him luck for his future endeavours and welcome Luke Williams to take over reigns and guide RCB women’s team to reach to its optimum potential.”

On the appointment of head coach, Rajesh V Menon, Vice President & Head of Royal Challengers Bangalore said, “Williams has been part of many champion sides and inspiration to many players across the world. I welcome him to the Royal Challengers Bangalore.”

Williams will look to usher in fresh winds of change within the RCB-W squad, with the team eyeing a title-winning WPL 2024 campaign following a disappointing inaugural season of the competition.