Hampshire Cricket have appointed 58-year old South African Adrian Birrell as First Team Manager.
The former South Africa Assistant Coach and current Paarl Rocks Head Coach – who has enjoyed a successful spell leading his side to today’s inaugural South African Mzansi Super League knockout semi-final - joins Hampshire on a three-year-deal, taking on the key First Team management responsibilities following the departure of Craig White in October.
The former Ireland and England U19 Head Coach enjoyed a first-class playing career as a leg-spin bowler spanning more than a decade, having represented both Eastern Province and County Districts in his native South Africa from 1984, before moving into coaching at the conclusion of his playing career in 1997.
After working with the South Africa U19 side and acting as Head Coach of Eastern Province from 1999, the former all-rounder was appointed Ireland Head Coach in 2002. Birrell led the side for a five-year period which saw them gain a place in the top 10 of the ICC World Rankings and also included a successful 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign, in which they reached the Super Eight stage.
He was then named England U19 Head Coach in 2010, before joining South Africa’s coaching set-up under Russell Domingo, filling the role of Assistant Coach from 2013 until 2017, until his appointment at Paarl Rocks earlier this year.
The former South Africa Assistant Coach and current Paarl Rocks Head Coach – who has enjoyed a successful spell leading his side to today’s inaugural South African Mzansi Super League knockout semi-final - joins Hampshire on a three-year-deal, taking on the key First Team management responsibilities following the departure of Craig White in October.
The former Ireland and England U19 Head Coach enjoyed a first-class playing career as a leg-spin bowler spanning more than a decade, having represented both Eastern Province and County Districts in his native South Africa from 1984, before moving into coaching at the conclusion of his playing career in 1997.
After working with the South Africa U19 side and acting as Head Coach of Eastern Province from 1999, the former all-rounder was appointed Ireland Head Coach in 2002. Birrell led the side for a five-year period which saw them gain a place in the top 10 of the ICC World Rankings and also included a successful 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign, in which they reached the Super Eight stage.
He was then named England U19 Head Coach in 2010, before joining South Africa’s coaching set-up under Russell Domingo, filling the role of Assistant Coach from 2013 until 2017, until his appointment at Paarl Rocks earlier this year.
