Jon Lewis resigns UP Warriorz head coach role (Source:@WomensCricZone,x.com)
In a significant development, Jon Lewis has officially stepped down as head coach of the UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). He joined the franchise three years ago with the league’s inception in 2023. His departure comes just months after he resigned from his position as head coach of the England women’s team.
The UP Warriorz confirmed the news via a heartfelt message shared across their social media platforms on Friday, thanking Lewis for his leadership and impact.
“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,” the franchise stated.
Three-Year Stint Ends Amid Team's Struggles
Jon Lewis has been at the helm of the UP Warriorz since the franchise's launch in 2023. He made an immediate impact, guiding the side to the playoffs in their debut campaign. However, the team’s performance dipped in the following seasons. In WPL 2024, UP Warriorz finished fourth and missed out on the playoffs.
The downfall continued in 2025, with the team finishing at the bottom of the points table. The season was marred by the absence of regular skipper Alyssa Healy due to a knee injury, forcing Deepti Sharma to take over the captaincy duties.
It is important to mention that Jon Lewis’s departure from UP Warriorz follows his earlier exit from the England women’s setup in March 2025. He had taken charge of the England side in November 2022 but faced increasing scrutiny following underwhelming performances.
With Lewis’ departure, the UP Warriorz will be in the hunt for a new head coach ahead of the 2026 season. The future of team mentor Lisa Sthalekar remains unclear, while former India player Anju Jain has not been involved with the franchise since 2024.