Cricket Ireland name Graeme West as director of high performance

Cricket Ireland have announced that Graeme West, the current Cricket West Indies (CWI) high performance manager, has been appointed director of high performance with Ireland and will start in the role next month.

West,boasts a World Cup in his list of coaching achievements, leading the West Indies Under-19s to success in the final against Rahul Dravid's India in Bangladesh in 2016.

Starting his coaching career with Middlesex County Cricket Club, West held the position of Academy Director for five years. He developed a fruitful relationship with Brian O’Rourke and helped guide talented young Irish players including Andrew and Stuart Poynter, Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie through the Middlesex system.

In 2012, West was recruited to head up CWI High Performance Centre in Barbados, nurturing the region’s outstanding young talent.

Following a period in charge of the Under-19s and 'A’ Team, he moved to Antigua where he took up his current role as CWI high performance manager, responsible for the expansion of the high performance pathway.

West said: "I would like to thank Cricket West Indies for the opportunities provided to me and my family over the last twelve years, working with world class players and coaches has supported my professional development and enhanced my love and passion for the game of cricket.

"I am delighted to be joining Cricket Ireland as the organisation continues to grow and strengthen. The Strategic Plan for 2024-27 is incredibly exciting and I look forward to applying my experience and philosophy to the wealth of talent and expertise that has been assembled as we further establish Ireland as a major cricketing nation.

"Recent achievements on the field have increased my excitement in leading the Cricket