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Believe it or not - Ripley appointed interim Ireland head coach

Cricket Ireland have confirmed that David Ripley has been appointed as the interim men's head coa...



Believe it or not - Ripley app...
Other Sports

Believe it or not - Ripley appointed interim Ireland head coach

Cricket Ireland have confirmed that David Ripley has been appointed as the interim men's head coach. 

The former Northamptonshire head coach replaces Graham Ford, who stepped down last week after four years at the helm.

Ripley's been tasked with leading Ireland through the next three months, which includes a tour of the United States and West Indies, and February's T20 World Cup qualifier.

Having succeeded the late David Capel in 2012, Ripley would lead Northants to promotion to Division One of the County Championship. They also won the Natwest T20 Blast on two occasions (2013, 2016).

He stepped down as head coach in September, and the county have allowed him take the interim Ireland job as he transitions to another role with Northants.

Ripley will be assisted by ex-Ireland wicket keeper Gary Wilson and Ryan Eagleson.

Cricket Ireland have advertised for a full-time head coach, as they seek to appoint Ford's permanent replacement with the lure of a three-year contract.

"I am honoured to be joining Cricket Ireland for the next three months," said Ripley, "It’s a really exciting opportunity and one I intend to make the very most of it, giving Andrew Balbirnie, the players and the staff all my support and experience.

"The cricket ahead looks exciting and qualification for the T20 World Cup is our priority.”

Cricket Ireland's High Performance Director Richard Holdsworth added, "We did consider a number of candidates for this interim role, but with an important T20 World Cup Qualifier on the immediate horizon, we felt an experienced head coach with proven success in the format would provide us with a short-term benefit.

"Our succession plans foreshadow our intention to promote home-based coaches in the future – and we are pleased with the development and progress of numerous coaches in our system."

Meanwhile, Ben Smith has left the Ireland set-up following a five-year consultancy stint. The former Leicestershire coach had worked with the men's squad in a batting and fielding coach capacity.

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Cricket Cricket Ireland David Ripley Gary Wilson Graham Ford West Indies