Mark Robinson leaves Warwickshire as part of coaching reshuffle

Mark Robinson leaves Warwickshire as a part of teaching reshuffle


Mark Robinson has left his position as Warwickshire’s first-team coach after the membership carried out a restructure of teaching and help employees. He will likely be changed within the position by former Warwickshire batter Ian Westwood.

Robinson was appointed in early 2021 and went on to guide Warwickshire to the County Championship title in his first season. They completed eighth in 2022, avoiding relegation on the ultimate day, after which seventh final 12 months, successful simply as soon as within the Championship. Additionally they misplaced on the quarter-final stage of the Blast 4 seasons operating.

Warwickshire’s chief govt, Stuart Cain, stated there had been disappointment on the latest efficiency of the boys’s groups however the membership wished to keep away from “a kneejerk response” to final season. Following a high-performance assessment, a variety of modifications have been made to the teaching construction, partly to mirror the arrival of an expert girls’s staff and the combination of Birmingham Phoenix.

Along with Westwood overseeing the primary staff, Tony Frost has been appointed head of cricket operations after the retirement of Keith Prepare dinner, whereas Simon Kerrigan will grow to be 2nd XI coach in addition to providing spin bowling help. Stuart Barnes stays as bowling coach, with the membership searching for a brand new batting coach.

Laura Macleod will proceed as head of excessive efficiency for Bears Girls, working alongside Ali Maiden, lately appointed at first-team coach.

With Warwickshire retaining 51% majority possession of Birmingham Phoenix following the ECB’s Hundred fairness sale, these groups will even be built-in into the brand new construction from 2026. Warwickshire are additionally within the strategy of appointing a brand new efficiency director after the departure of Gavin Larsen earlier than Christmas.

“It is no secret we have been disillusioned in our males’s efficiency lately,” Cain stated. “We additionally wished to proactively tackle the most important modifications the sport has seen in a decade with the long-overdue formation of an expert Bears Girls’s staff and the combination of Birmingham Phoenix into our elite set-up.

“It was vital to not make a kneejerk response to final season. We allowed time for an intensive evaluation of our excessive efficiency construction and labored with the Membership’s Cricket Audit Committee and Board to create a brand new strategy that recognises the necessity for enchancment and likewise addresses the challenges created by transferring from managing one skilled staff to 4, taking part in 4 totally different codecs of cricket.

“Robbo has labored exhausting for the Bears since becoming a member of in 2021 and we should not underestimate his achievement in successful the County Championship in his first season. He’s a high quality coach and will likely be an asset to any membership.

“Nonetheless, contemplating latest performances and suggestions from the assessment, we felt it was time for change. Ian Westwood is a Bear through-and-through. He understands our historical past, tradition, and DNA. He’s aggressive, structured and a high quality chief having beforehand been membership captain and 2nd XI coach. He understands tips on how to win red-ball matches in addition to the calls for of white ball, having most lately coached at Sharjah Warriors within the ILT20.

“The brand new head of cricket operations position means we’ve someone centered on operating the machine, ensuring all the pieces from lodges and equipment via to wickets and the indoor centre are set as much as help the gamers and guarantee there aren’t any distractions or frustrations. Frosty will take over from the retiring Keith Prepare dinner who has given such unimaginable service to the Membership for greater than 50 years.

“We’re assured this new construction provides us the talents, sources and focus wanted for the boys’s and ladies’s groups to place themselves able to win home tournaments, in addition to develop native expertise from the numerous numerous communities that encompass Edgbaston.”

Robinson, who beforehand coached England Girls and Sussex, pointed to the 2021 Championship success in addition to the latest elevation of Jacob Bethell and Dan Mousley to full England obligation as highlights throughout his time in cost.

He stated: “There are numerous issues we have celebrated throughout my time as a Bear, and issues we all know may have gone higher. Profitable the Championship was an enormous spotlight, as was overseeing our T20 staff from one which was struggling to qualify to at least one that topped the group three years operating.

“Dropping the quarter-final final 12 months harm badly however I am positive it will not be lengthy earlier than the boys take that subsequent step to silverware.

“Seeing two Academy boys, Bethell and Mousley, go from common Bears gamers to creating their England debuts made everybody, myself included, very proud.

“Lastly, thanks to the supporters who’re crucial a part of the membership on your help. I do know it should solely be a matter of time earlier than you get the success you deserve.”


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