Heather Knight has opted out of participating in next year’s Hundred, instead taking up a new role as London Spirit’s first-ever women’s team General Manager. The former England captain is believed to be considering a gradual step back from her playing career, potentially after the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be held on home soil.

In her new position, Knight will provide technical support to the coaching staff and serve as a sounding board for the on-field leadership group, offering insights from the dugout on match days. She will work closely with Mo Bobat, London Spirit’s Director of Cricket, as the franchise continues to strengthen its off-field structure.

"I'm delighted to take up this new role with London Spirit. I have absolutely loved my time at the franchise, as a player and also as a coach in last year's edition of The Hundred,” said Knight as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

In addition to the T20 World Cup, England will also host the first Women’s Test match at Lord’s, against India in July, and Knight is expected to play a central role in both fixtures under her ECB contract, which has another year remaining.

"I am still very much committed to and passionate about playing for England and Somerset, but this is a huge development opportunity for me. It gives me the chance to learn from one of the best minds in the global game, in Mo, and broaden my experiences outside of my playing career. I am so excited for everything to come, on and off the field, in 2026,” said Knight.

Knight captained London Spirit through the first four editions of The Hundred, a tenure highlighted by the franchise’s title win in 2024. Her move into an off-field position builds on her involvement during the 2025 season, when she served as a team mentor and assistant coach while recovering from a serious hamstring injury.

She lost the England captaincy in March, concluding a nine-year spell that ended with a winless Ashes tour of Australia at the start of 2025. Knight then suffered a torn hamstring tendon while batting against West Indies in May, an injury that ruled her out for much of the home summer. Despite the setback, she returned in time for the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, finishing as England’s leading run-scorer with 228 runs at 48.00 and a strike rate of 85.71, although the team fell short in the semi-finals.

Knight had signalled her long-term interest in sports administration as early as 2023, when she completed a Masters of Leadership in Sport at the Institute of Sports Humanities, co-founded by former England men’s national selector Ed Smith.

"Heather's deep understanding of the women's game, and of what is required to perform at the highest level make her the ideal person to be our first Women's General Manager. She knows what it takes to win The Hundred and the franchise will benefit from having one of the game's leading current players in such a key role,” Bobat said.

"I'm looking forward to working closely with Heather and excited at the prospect of her forming a trusted partnership with our Women's Head Coach. It's also great to be able to support Heather with her long-term ambitions and future career transition. I know how passionate she remains about playing for England and her unwavering commitment to representing her country,” he added.