Dani Hazell Returns to Lead Durham’s Women’s Cricket Program
In a significant coup for Durham’s burgeoning women’s cricket program, the club has secured the return of former England off-spinner Dani Hazell as their new head coach on a three-year deal. Hazell, who previously played for Durham’s academy, will leave her roles with the Northern Diamonds and Northern Superchargers to take on this pivotal position, as Durham aims to establish itself as the new epicenter of women’s cricket in the north of England.
Hazell, a seasoned international with 141 caps for England, including two World Cups and three Ashes triumphs, has built an impressive coaching resume in recent years. As the highly regarded head coach of the Northern Diamonds, she led the team to the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in 2022, while also guiding the Northern Superchargers to the women’s Hundred final in 2023. Her extensive experience and winning pedigree make her an ideal candidate to spearhead Durham’s transition to a Tier 1 women’s team in 2025.
“It was clear from the off that Dani was the right person to lead Durham into our new chapter and begin to create history as a women’s professional team,” said Marcus North, Durham’s director of cricket. “She knows the club inside-out having played for us and worked within our women and girl’s pathway in recent years.”
Hazell, who will retain her position as the Northern Superchargers’ head coach, is eager to be a part of Durham’s ambitious plans.
“This is an exciting new chapter for Durham Cricket and the whole of the region, and I wanted to be part of this historic new era for the club,” she said. “I feel aligned with the club’s ambitions and standards to continually grow and move forward in such a pivotal moment for women and girls’ cricket.”
Durham’s chief executive, Tim Bostock, echoed the sentiment, stating that Hazell’s knowledge of the game, both globally and within the Durham region, makes her the “perfect fit” for the club as they embark on this journey.
The return of Dani Hazell to her hometown club is a significant coup for Durham, as they seek to establish themselves as a powerhouse in the women’s game. Her expertise, coupled with her inherent understanding of the club and the local cricket landscape, will undoubtedly be pivotal in shaping the success of Durham’s Tier 1 women’s team in the coming years.
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