(CMC) – Australian Shane Deitz has been appointed the new head coach of West Indies Women, replacing West Indies legend Courtney Walsh who was sacked in April. The 48-year-old, a former first-class player who represented South Australia as a wicket-keeper/batsman in 66 first-class matches, will formally take up the role late next month before overseeing his first assignment when the Caribbean side tour Australia in October.
Cricket West Indies chief executive, Johnny Grave, said Deitz had emerged as the leading candidate following a “robust global recruitment process”.
“Shane is well equipped for the role having coached extensively in both the men’s and women’s game, in his native Australia, as well as other parts of the world,” Grave said.
“He is dynamic, energetic, and is very familiar with the requirements of the women’s game.
“He brings the right skills and experience to drive the team and the women’s game in the West Indies forward.”
Deitz brings to the role over a decade-long experience, serving as head coach of Bangladesh Women and currently as head coach of Netherlands Women.
He said he was joining a side with a “great blend” of senior and emerging players, and believe West Indies Women could become a world class side with “good planning”. “I am very honoured to have the opportunity to coach the West Indies Women’s team,” Deitz said.
“West Indies cricket both men and women have a great history of success whilst playing entertaining cricket and my aim is to continue with that formula.
“The team has a great blend of world class senior players and some talented younger players which is a good starting point to build from.
“We have a lot of work to do though as reality is we are behind the top few sides in the world and we need to bridge that gap and become competitive again to challenge for World Cups in the future.”
He continued: “I do believe though the nucleus is there to create a world class competitive side and that is what I will aim to do.
“The standard of women’s cricket is at an all-time high and we need to strive to reach those heights through good planning, a lot of hard work and then executing on the pitch.
“I am very excited about that challenge and can’t wait to start working with this talented squad.”
West Indies Women are ranked sixth in both the One-Day International and Twenty20 International formats.