UP Warriorz and Coach Jon Lewis End Three-Year Association After Disappointing Season

Jon Lewis's tenure as head coach of the UP Warriorz in the Women's Premier League (WPL) has concluded. The franchise announced the departure of the former English fast bowler via a social media statement on Friday, June 27, marking the end of his three-year involvement with the team.

Jon Lewis leaves the UP Warriorz franchise. © BCCI

Lewis initially tasted success with the Warriorz during the inaugural WPL season. In 2023, he guided the team to a third-place finish, only to be knocked out by the Mumbai Indians, who ultimately clinched the championship.

However, the team's performance dipped in the subsequent two seasons. In 2024, they finished fourth, and in the most recent 2025 season, they ended up at the bottom of the table. The UPW's struggles were compounded by injuries to key players and a change in captaincy, with Deepti Sharma taking the helm in 2025. These factors contributed to a lack of consistency and team balance throughout the season, resulting in their disappointing finish.

Despite the setbacks, the Warriorz, under Lewis's guidance, achieved a significant milestone. They currently hold the record for the highest total in WPL history, having scored 225 for 5 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru earlier this year, a match highlighted by Georgia Voll's remarkable unbeaten 99.

During his time with the Warriorz, Lewis also served as the head coach of the England Women's team, juggling dual responsibilities. He had been appointed to the England role in November 2022. However, 2025 has been a challenging year for Lewis, as he stepped down from his England position in March following the team's crushing 16-0 defeat to Australia in the Women's Ashes.