Graeme West, the current high-performance manager of Cricket West Indies (CWI), will soon take on the role of director of high performance at Cricket Ireland (CI). West, who has been with CWI since 2012, will begin his new role in Ireland next month.
During his time with CWI, West worked closely with young talent from across the Caribbean. Notably, in 2016, he coached the West Indies Under-19 team to a World Cup victory. His role expanded to managing academy programmes and building a network of coaches. West is expected to bring similar expertise to his new position in Ireland.
Prior to his tenure at CWI, West dedicated five years to the Middlesex academy. There, he worked with notable Ireland internationals, including Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie, and the Poynter brothers, Andrew and Stuart. Although West has not played top-level cricket himself, he holds a Level 4 ECB coaching qualification.
West expressed his excitement about joining Cricket Ireland. He said he was looking forward to contributing to the organisation’s growth and working on their Strategic Plan for 2024-27. He noted the abundance of talent in Ireland and the opportunity to further establish the country as a significant force in international cricket.
Warren Deutrom, chief executive of CI, praised West’s appointment, calling it a crucial step in Ireland’s journey to becoming a “fit-for-purpose Full Member.” Deutrom stated that West’s abilities in leadership and mentoring positioned him as the perfect choice for the position.
Deutrom added that Cricket Ireland is currently undergoing an evolution, reviewing and adapting their operations to meet the demands of their Full Member status. West’s appointment is part of this strategic shift, aimed at strengthening Ireland’s cricketing infrastructure.
Ireland’s senior men’s team will soon embark on a white-ball tour of the UAE, facing South Africa later this month. The women’s team is also preparing for a series against England, with three ODIs and two T20Is starting on Saturday.
