By Edmund J. Rogers 
Alex Hartley was part of England’s World Cup-winning team in 2017; the 30-year-old retired from cricket in August; joins former Ireland player Catherine Dalton to become the first female coach in the history of the PSL
Former England international Alex Hartley is expected to be appointed as a specialist spin bowling coach by the Sultans of Multan, of the Pakistani Super League.
Hartley and former Ireland player Catherine Dalton, who joins the franchise as fast bowling coach, will be the first female coaches in the history of the PSL.
The 30-year-old, who was part of England’s World Cup-winning team in 2017 and retired from cricket in August, will remain as the presenter of the BBC Test Match special and in her role as co-presenter of the No Balls podcast with England bowler Kate Cross.
Hartley returned figures of 2-58 after 10 overs in England’s World Cup final victory over India, including Harmanpreet Kaur’s key wicket for 51 after scoring a match-winning century against Australia in the semi-final.
Hartley has a Level 2 coaching qualification. This will be his first senior position as he previously coached age group cricket in Lancashire.
Dalton, also in her 30s, has played four one-day internationals and four T20s for Ireland and still represents Essex in women’s county cricket alongside her coaching career.
“Having worked in Pakistan with some of the Multan Sultan players on two previous visits, I am very excited to officially join the franchise in the PSL,” Dalton said.
“The revolutionary moment of a fast bowling coach working in a major men’s T20 franchise is not lost on me. I am very touched by this opportunity and I hope I can help make a difference on many levels.”
The two men are following in the footsteps of former England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor, who has been coaching men’s cricket as part of the move to Sussex since 2021 and with Manchester Originals in the hundred.
Former England coach Lisa Keightley also worked with the Paarl Royals men’s team in the SA20, the South African franchise competition.
The teams for the PSL 2024 have not yet been confirmed, but the competition should start on February 8. Multan won the competition in 2021 and has finished second in each of the last two editions, losing by a single race to Lahore Qalandars in this year’s thrilling final.