Shane Deitz appointed West Indies head coach

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced Shane Deitz as the new head coach of the West Indies Women's side on Saturday (July 8). Deitz will take charge of the team in late August ahead of the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).

48-year-old Deitz is currently the head coach of Netherlands Women and has a great experience of coaching experience at this level having coached Bangladesh Women as well in the past. The former South Australia wicketkeeper-batteer has played 66 First Class Games in his career spanning from 1998 to 2008.

"I am very honoured to have the opportunity to coach the West Indies Women’s team. 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," Deitz said.

"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."

West Indies have just beaten Ireland at home in both formats where they won the ODI series 2-0 and whitewashed the T20I series at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia. Their next assignment is a tour to Australia in October.

Johnny Grave, CWI’s Chief Executive Officer, has expressed his happiness over the appointment of Deitz and added that his experience will take the women's game in West Indies forward.

“We are pleased to announce Shane as our new West Indies Women’s Head Coach 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. 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.”