World Cup winner Robinson appointed men’s First Team Coach

Warwickshire County Cricket Club has appointed ICC women’s Cricket World Cup-winning and men’s County Championship-winning coach Mark Robinson as its men’s First Team Coach.

Robinson (54) led the England women’s team as Head Coach between 2015 and 2019 team, during which time they were crowned ICC women’s World Cup champions in 2017, with a memorable nine-run victory over India in the final at Lord’s. Under Robinson’s guidance, the team also reached the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean in the following year.

Prior to this role, Robinson coached Sussex during the most successful period in the county’s history, between 2005 and 2015. This era included County Championship triumphs in 2006 and 2007, the T20 Blast in 2009, the One-Day Cup in 2006 and the Pro40 League in 2008 and 2009.

“Mark boasts great experience of developing a winning culture and in developing cricketers to reach their potential in both the county and international game.

Paul Farbrace, Director of Cricket at Warwickshire CCC

“He has an outstanding reputation as a coach and for winning the biggest trophies in the game, and we’re delighted to secure him as our new men’s First Team Coach.”

Mark Robinson said: “It’s a very exciting time to be taking over at Warwickshire in this men’s First Team Coach role. It is a county that I have always admired for doing things in the right way and which has always produced teams that are resilient and difficult to beat.

“The men’s team has gone through a transition over the last few years, but that period is now coming to an end. We now have a young squad, which is led superbly by a young captain in Will Rhodes, and it is a great opportunity for this team to create another memorable era for the Bears.”

Mark Robinson

Warwickshire CCC became the first First Class county to implement the Rooney Rule in its recruitment process for the men’s First Team Coach to encourage applications from suitably qualified BAME candidates. The Club also assembled an interview panel which represented the diverse communities that Warwickshire CCC serves, the elite performance nature of this role and the culture of Warwickshire CCC.

Stuart Cain, Chief Executive at Warwickshire CCC, said: “During interview it was clear that Mark would work well with Paul Farbrace, Will Rhodes and the wider coaching staff so I think we’ve assembled a group of winners that can work with our squad as we emerge from a period of transition and build a new Bears dynasty.

“I was impressed with Mark’s vision of an inclusive Club.  As we build towards the Commonwealth Games, his experience in women’s cricket is invaluable.  He also has strong views on building links with the African-Caribbean and Asian communities within the city to make sure that we’re nurturing young talent and that our squad represents those who we serve.”

Warwickshire start the 2021 LV= Insurance County Championship season at Edgbaston on Thursday 8 April versus Derbyshire.