Warwickshire appoint Mark Robinson as first team coach

Robinson, 54, led England Women to World Cup glory in 2017 in his last full-time coaching role, having previously won the County Championship during his time in charge of Sussex

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Warwickshire have appointed Mark Robinson as their new first team coach, replacing Jim Troughton in the role.

Robinson, 54, led England Women to World Cup glory in 2017 in his last full-time coaching role, having previously won the County Championship during his time in charge of Sussex.

During his time at Hove, he won red-ball titles in 2006 and 2007, a 50-over trophy in 2006, the Pro40 League in 2008 and 2009 and the T20 Blast in 2009.

When he left in 2015 to replace Paul Shaw as England Women’s head coach, it represented a landmark moment for the women’s game.

Two years after taking charge, he watched from the dressing room balcony at Lord’s as his charges – by then led by Heather Knight – became world champions in front of a full house.

And although his tenure ultimately ended in the disappointment of a humbling Ashes defeat in 2019, he left with widespread respect for the job he had done – not least in helping wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor through her mental health struggles and playing a significant part in the development of several players, including Tammy Beaumont.

Speaking to The Cricketer a year ago, he described himself as “a pure coach” with a passion for “being on the shop floor as a coach” – an opportunity he had looked to maximise before the coronavirus pandemic.

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Mark Robinson led England Women to World Cup victory in 2017

He undertook consultancy stints with Cricket Scotland, Nottinghamshire – under his Sussex predecessor Peter Moores, Paul Nixon’s Leicestershire and England’s deaf team, as well as completing a mentoring course and trying his hand at some leadership work with a multinational company. He also assisted five Level Four coaches, including one woman “because I want to help”.

But he added: “At some point, I want to go back and lead again.” This, then, is the opportunity he has been waiting for. Warwickshire parted company with Troughton in October following a review of the 2020 campaign, bringing to an end a three-decade association between the county and a former captain who came through the age-groups at Edgbaston.

Sarah Taylor's road back to happiness

Paul Farbrace, Warwickshire’s director of cricket, explained: “Mark boasts great experience of developing a winning culture and in developing cricketers to reach their potential in both the county and international game.

“He has an outstanding reputation as a coach and for winning the biggest trophies in the game, and we’re delighted to secure him as our new men’s first team coach.”

Robinson, who inherits a squad without the experience of retired trio Ian Bell, Tim Ambrose and Jeetan Patel, said: “The men’s team has gone through a transition over the last few years, but that period is now coming to an end. We now have a young squad, which is led superbly by a young captain in Will Rhodes, and it is a great opportunity for this team to create another memorable era for the Bears.”

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Robinson was in charge when Sussex won the 2009 T20 Blast

The appointment also follows a recruitment process that saw the club become the first in county cricket to implement the Rooney Rule to encourage applications from BAME candidates.

Chief executive Stuart Cain added: “During interview it was clear that Mark would work well with Paul Farbrace, Will Rhodes and the wider coaching staff so I think we’ve assembled a group of winners that can work with our squad as we emerge from a period of transition and build a new Bears dynasty.

“I was impressed with Mark’s vision of an inclusive club.  As we build towards the Commonwealth Games, his experience in women’s cricket is invaluable.  He also has strong views on building links with the African-Caribbean and Asian communities within the city to make sure that we’re nurturing young talent and that our squad represents those who we serve.”

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