Allister Birrell Appointed Head Coach of Sharjah Warriorz for ILT20 Season

Allister Birrell has been named the head coach of the Sharjah Warriorz ahead of the upcoming ILT20 season. The 65-year-old former coach of Ireland expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, “I am delighted to be joining the Sharjah Warriorz ahead of the upcoming ILT20 season. I am excited to work with this talented group of players and support staff as we build a new campaign.” He emphasized his intentions to foster a strong team culture, maintain high standards, and instill a winning mindset.

Birrell previously served as the head coach of Ireland from 2002 to 2007, notably guiding the team to the Super Eight stage of the World Cup in the West Indies. Following this, he spent five years as an assistant coach with South Africa from 2013 to 2017. His coaching career further extended into the franchise circuit, where he led the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to three SA20 titles and currently oversees Sunrisers Leeds in the Women’s Hundred.

Earlier in his career, Birrell played for Eastern Province in South Africa between 1984-85 and 1997-98, accumulating 1,480 runs and taking 75 wickets in 45 first-class matches. His recent appointment comes on the heels of Ryan ten Doeschate’s selection as head of cricket strategy at the Knight Riders Group, which owns the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20.

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn