The Irish Cricket Union has appointed 41-year-old South African Adrian Birrell as its full-time national coach until after the 2005 ICC Trophy.
In what appear to be ideal qualifications for a position as a non-Test national coach, Birrell has worked extensively in the South African development programme and has coached Eastern Province for the past three years.
His job description entails coaching the senior and under 19 national teams,
advising on the other under age national teams and general development work.
It is criteria which he is happy to meet.
"I've been involved in cricket from the grass roots level up and setting up
coaching structures within Eastern Province and it [the Irish position] looked like it was a similar challenge where I could establish something through all levels of cricket right from the national side down. And I would have some influence and input into the various levels. I enjoy that type of challenging work."
During the conversation with the veteran of 45 First Class appearances for
Eastern Province, two qualities central to Birrell's coaching philisophy
became readily apparent - a humility from which accepts he will not arrive
in Dublin on March 27 with all the answers and an attitude of inclusiveness.
"I won't come in with any preconceived ideas. It will be negotiated with
everyone buying into the way forward...they (the players) are part of a decision making process which determines the ground rules."
Not surprisingly then, the new coach identified "human relations" as the
strong point of his coaching beliefs.
"It's getting everyone working in one direction, making sure everyone is goal orientated to get Ireland towards the World Cup, is happy and motivated towards working towards the big picture."
Although Birrell is happy to soak up advice on his arrival in Ireland, he has sought the counsel of former Netherlands coach, David Trist "on what happens at the Associate level."
Birrell, while not possessing the profile of his predecessors, Ken Rutherford and Mike Hendrick, perhaps has an advantage in two departments - greater experience in coaching both batsmen AND bowlers, and grassroots development work.
© ICC 2002
