Lisa Keightley, the Western Australia and Perth Scorchers coach, has signed a contract to become England women's first full-time head coach.

Keightley will join up with her squad for the first time in January, after the WBBL season ends, meaning Ali Maiden - the interim coach after Mark Robinson left his role at the end of a disappointing home summer - will lead the side on their tour to Malaysia.

Keightley, 48, had been appointed coach of London Spirit in the Hundred, but will now vacate that role.

A former Australia international who played nearly 100 times for her country in all formats, Keightley previously spent seven years as coach of the England Academy until 2015.

Keightley said she was "massively excited" about her appointment.

"It's a huge opportunity," she said. "It's a team full of world-class players and to be given the chance to work with some of the players who I worked with a few years ago is really exciting. I can't wait to get started and see where we can get to.

"England are the current 50-over World Champions and they made it to the final of the last ICC Women's T20 World Cup. They're a very competitive side and they wouldn't be in big matches like that if they didn't have a really strong group of players who can perform on the big stage. I'm really looking forward to getting underway and helping the team progress."

The immediate focus for Keightley will be the T20 World Cup in Australia next spring. Her first challenge will be a T20 tri-series against India and Australia directly before that tournament, and England will be among the favourites to win back the title they last won in 2009.

Clare Connor, the ECB's managing director for women's cricket said: "Lisa was the stand-out candidate from a varied and highly talented group of applicants.

"The interview panel were unanimously impressed by Lisa's demonstration of her suitability for the role, her impressive knowledge of the game and her passion for coaching and developing players.

"She outlined clear plans as to how she believes she can take the team and this group of players forward.

"Lisa will become the first full-time female Head Coach of the England Women's team. I am excited about the progress our sport continues to make and I'm sure that Lisa's appointment will rightly be seen as another huge step for women's cricket."