Dhaka, March 23 -- Heather Knight has stepped down as captain of the England women's cricket team after nine years, following a series of disappointing results.

England was eliminated in the group stage of last year's T20 World Cup and suffered a 16-0 defeat in this year's multi-format Ashes series against Australia.

"Leading my country for the past nine years has been the greatest honor of my life, and I will always take immense pride in my tenure," Knight said in a statement released by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Saturday. "I have relished the challenge of captaincy, but all good things must come to an end. It's time for me to step back and focus on being the best batter and teammate I can be."

Her resignation follo...