Warwickshire County Cricket Club today announced that John Inverarity had been appointed Director of Coaching at Edgbaston from March 2003, as part of a 2 year contract.

The former Australian Test all-rounder will replace Bob Woolmer who returns to South Africa at the end of the current cricket season after 3 years coaching the Bears in his second spell at the Club.

Robert John Inverarity played first class cricket for Western Australia, South Australia and Australia over a period of 23 seasons between 1962 and 1985, captaining both states and being vice-captain of Australia for a short time. A born leader, Inverarity led Western Australia to four Sheffield Shield titles in five seasons as captain.

He toured England in 1968 and 1972 and made his Test debut at Headingley in the 4th Test Match in 1968 – clocking up another 5 international caps.

A life long ambition to become a teacher encouraged him to combine his cricketing commitments, with both a professional career and academic studies. In 1976 and 1977 he taught at Tonbridge School in Kent before being appointed Vice-Principal of Pembroke School in Adelaide.

In 1986 he was appointed Head Coach of South Australia, and then for brief periods in 1988 whilst he was teaching at King's College, Wimbledon and 2000 when he was on sabbatical leave, he took up a coaching role with Kent County Cricket Club. For many years he was employed to undertake coaching work at the Australian Cricket Board's national academy in Adelaide under the direction of Rod Marsh. Since 1989 he has been the Headmaster of Hale School in Perth, Australia.

Dennis Amiss, Chief Executive of Warwickshire County Cricket Club said "John Inverarity is a man held in the highest regard by coaches and players from around the world and we are absolutely delighted that John has decided to accept the position of Director of Coaching here at Edgbaston. We feel sure that the enormous wealth of young talent available to us at Warwickshire can only benefit from the experience and knowledge of a coach of this calibre".

© Warwickshire CCC