Rich Pyrah is set to return to Headingley as the new head coach of Yorkshire’s women’s team, a significant move as the club continues to recover from the fallout of a high-profile racism scandal. Pyrah’s appointment comes after a period of controversy and upheaval for the club, which has been undergoing major reforms since 2021.
Previously serving as Yorkshire’s men’s batting coach, Pyrah was among the 16 staff members dismissed following allegations of institutional racism, which led to a major shake-up within the club. The Cricket Discipline Commission later found Pyrah guilty of using racist and discriminatory language in reference to Azeem Rafiq’s sister, resulting in a two-week coaching ban and a £2,500 fine. Despite this, Yorkshire later acknowledged that Pyrah’s dismissal was “procedurally unfair,” leading to a settlement.
The club’s decision to reinstate Pyrah as head coach of the women’s team is a bold move as Yorkshire prepares for a transformative period in domestic cricket. Starting in September, Pyrah will lead the women’s team into a new phase, with Yorkshire’s women competing in Tier 2 of the ECB’s revamped structure next year. The team is expected to advance to Tier 1 by 2026, presenting significant opportunities for growth.
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Colin Graves, chairman of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, defended the reappointment, emphasizing Pyrah’s extensive experience and the thorough process that led to his selection. “We are pleased to announce Richard as the head coach of our women’s team,” Graves stated. “His experience and success in coaching were evident throughout the recruitment process. We believe he is the right person to guide the team as we embark on this new chapter.”
Pyrah expressed his enthusiasm for the role, describing it as the highpoint of his career. “It is an immense honor to be appointed head coach of Yorkshire’s women’s team,” he said. “The restructuring of women’s cricket by the ECB is an exciting development, and I am thrilled to be part of this evolution. I look forward to working with the team and achieving great success together.”
As Yorkshire charts its course through these changes, Pyrah’s return represents a fresh start and a renewed focus on the women’s team’s potential within the evolving landscape of domestic cricket.